Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

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

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

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

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

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

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

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

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

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

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

having the head uncovered

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

a town in southwestern Vermont

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

inflected form of “blur” — become glassy; lose clear vision

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading There was a crowd of men and boys at the door of the dance hall.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

short-tailed wildcats with usually tufted ears; valued for their fur

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

plural of “claw” — sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

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

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

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

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading There was a crowd of men and boys at the door of the dance hall.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading There was a crowd of men and boys at the door of the dance hall.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

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

From this reading There was a crowd of men and boys at the door of the dance hall.

at any time

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

plural of “fang” — a Bantu language spoken in Cameroon

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

brought together in one place

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

plural of “grant” — any monetary aid

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

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

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading There was a crowd of men and boys at the door of the dance hall.

a county of southern England on the English Channel

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

usually used of a face

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

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

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

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

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

light from a lamp

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

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

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

the force of workers available

From this reading There was a crowd of men and boys at the door of the dance hall.

a public toilet for men

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

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

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

not any; not one

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

comparative of “noisy” — full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

To move from a closed position.

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

past form of “poison” — spoil as if by poison

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

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

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

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

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

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

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

cut with a saw

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

plural of “settlement” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

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

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

filled with something

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

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

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

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

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a crowd of men and boys at the door of the dance hall.

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

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

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

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

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

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

From this reading Tobacco smoke poisoned the air, floating in clouds on a level with the men's heads, and blurring the lamplight.

the upper part of anything

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading No noisier or more ill-favored crew, Janice Day thought, could ever have been gathered under the roof of the Inn, than she now saw as she pushed open the screen.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

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

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

at the time that

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."

in the company of; together with

From this reading A DECLARATION OF WAR The room was a large apartment with smoke-cured and age-blackened beams in the ceiling.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading This was the ancient tap-room of the tavern, which had been built at that pre-Revolutionary time when the stuffed catamount, with its fangs and claws bared to the York State officers, crouched on top of the staff at Bennington--for Polktown was one of the oldest settlements in these "Hampshire Grants."