Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

Having no one else present.

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

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

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

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

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

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

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

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

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

-ing form of “check” — examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

-ing form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

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

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

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

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

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

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

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

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

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

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

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

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

the literary culture

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

any art that invokes supernatural powers

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

plural of “mail” — the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

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

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

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

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

on one occasion

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

above and across; more than

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

select carefully from a group

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

a man who delivers the mail

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

a state of peace and quiet

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

plural of “repair” — the act of putting something in working order again

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

move upward

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

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

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

make tight; secure against leakage

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

established irrevocably

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

unusual or striking

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

plural of “slipper” — low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

a long narrow opening

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

having something on top

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

in a swift manner

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

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

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Mr. Ollerenshaw glanced curiously from his chair, over his spectacles, at the letters as they lay dead on the floor.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

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

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

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

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

either of two offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

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

From this reading Their singular appearance caused him to rise at once and pick them up.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

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

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

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

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

at the time that

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

which person or people

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They were sealed with a green seal, and addressed in a large and haughty hand--one to Helen and the other to himself.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading THE WORLD A few days later James Ollerenshaw was alone in the front room, checking various accounts for repairs of property in Turnhill, when twin letters fell into the quietude of the apartment.

a woolen fabric with a hard textured surface and no nap; woven of worsted yarns "he wore a worsted suit"

From this reading The postman--the famous old postman of Bursley, who on fine summer days surmounted the acute difficulty of tender feet by delivering mails in worsted slippers--had swiftly pushed the letters, as usual, through the slit in the door; but, nevertheless, their advent had somehow the air of magic, as, indeed, the advent of letters always had.