Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading "Your cup must be stone cold, and you haven't touched your fish balls."

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

From this reading "Your cup must be stone cold, and you haven't touched your fish balls."

shining intensely

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

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

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

a feeling of dreary or pessimistic sadness

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

unvarying in nature

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading "Your cup must be stone cold, and you haven't touched your fish balls."

a room used for dining

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

take in solid food

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

divisible by two

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading "Your cup must be stone cold, and you haven't touched your fish balls."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

feeling or showing gratitude

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

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

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

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

From this reading "Your cup must be stone cold, and you haven't touched your fish balls."

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

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

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

resulting from inflammation; hot and swollen and reddened

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

immediately past

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

darkened with overcast

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

provided with a worthy adversary or competitor

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Your cup must be stone cold, and you haven't touched your fish balls."

without a sound

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

a small storeroom for storing foods or wines

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

a message that helps you remember something

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

the act of controlling by restraining someone or something

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

morally wholesome or acceptable

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

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

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading "Your cup must be stone cold, and you haven't touched your fish balls."

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

having come into contact

From this reading "Your cup must be stone cold, and you haven't touched your fish balls."

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

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

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

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

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

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

showing sorrow

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

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

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

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

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

United States inventor of the mechanical cotton gin (1765-1825)

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

belonging to which person

From this reading Mrs. Whitney, whose eyes were red and inflamed from constant weeping, gave up her attempt to eat her breakfast and pushed her plate away.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

English colonial administrator who traveled to America on the Mayflower and served as the first governor of the Plymouth Colony (1595-1655)

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The rain, falling in torrents, had brought with it a penetrating cold wind, a last reminder of winter, and Vincent, passing noiselessly to and from the pantry with sundry savory dishes, was grateful for the heat thrown out by the blazing logs.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading A PROPOSAL The atmosphere inside the house matched the leaden skies outside in point of gloom, and even the wood fire, crackling on the hearth, failed to mitigate the air of restraint and cheerlessness which prevailed in the dining-room.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Let me give you some hot coffee, Winslow," she suggested.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Your cup must be stone cold, and you haven't touched your fish balls."