Chapter III

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

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

(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 walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

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

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

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

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

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

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

put or send forth

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

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

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

not invading healthy tissue

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

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

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

a social unit living together

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

past form of “flicker” — move back and forth very rapidly

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

depressingly dark

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

a frame of iron bars to hold a fire

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

a small number or amount

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

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

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

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

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

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

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

plural of “meet” — a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

out of fashion

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

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

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

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

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

plural of “recess” — a state of abeyance or suspended business

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

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

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

not often

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

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

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

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

From this reading THE WOLF.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the little handful of fire gleamed and flickered in the large old-fashioned grate, and the shadows began to dance in a strange grotesque manner on the dark oak panels.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

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

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

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

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

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

From this reading The walls were of dark oak and panelled, with a carved chimney-piece, and deep recesses, and, best of all, a lofty ceiling, such as one seldom meets with in those close and confined dwelling-places in which the London poor are obliged to live.

at the time that

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

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

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE home of Matthew Reardon and his family consisted of one large room, with a kind of closet opening out of it, in which the children slept.

any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading THE WOLF.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading It was a gloomy room, nevertheless, especially when evening came, and the dim light of the one candle by which Matthew and his wife worked cast all beyond into deep shadow.