Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

(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 They seemed all the quieter by contrast with the excitement of the past hours.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

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

From this reading On the threshold of this apartment Tom paused a moment.

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

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

in a state of sleep

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They seemed all the quieter by contrast with the excitement of the past hours.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

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

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

carefully weighed

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading They seemed all the quieter by contrast with the excitement of the past hours.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

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

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

a baby bed with sides and rockers

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

the act of forming or establishing something

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading They seemed all the quieter by contrast with the excitement of the past hours.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

the act of giving

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

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

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

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

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading They seemed all the quieter by contrast with the excitement of the past hours.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

a single distinct event

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

a particular point in time

From this reading On the threshold of this apartment Tom paused a moment.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the threshold of this apartment Tom paused a moment.

on one occasion

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading They seemed all the quieter by contrast with the excitement of the past hours.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading On the threshold of this apartment Tom paused a moment.

continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

comparative of “quiet” — characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading They seemed all the quieter by contrast with the excitement of the past hours.

past form of “reign” — have sovereign power

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

unusual or striking

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Such silence reigned that he could hear the soft, faint breathing of the child as it lay asleep.

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

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

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

From this reading They seemed all the quieter by contrast with the excitement of the past hours.

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

From this reading On the threshold of this apartment Tom paused a moment.

the starting point for a new state or experience

From this reading On the threshold of this apartment Tom paused a moment.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

male cat

From this reading On the threshold of this apartment Tom paused a moment.

plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

not anticipated

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

at the time that

From this reading The rooms at the back had never seemed so quiet before as when, at the close of the day, he went into them.

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

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They seemed all the quieter by contrast with the excitement of the past hours.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading In the kitchen Mornin was giving the final touches to the supper, and in the room which was at once sitting-room and bedroom, the wooden cradle had fitted itself in a corner near the fireplace and wore an air of permanent establishment remarkable to contemplate when one considered how unlooked-for an incident it was.