Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

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

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

(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 All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

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

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

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

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

for the reason that

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

next to; at the side of

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

rid of obstructions

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

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 It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

in a very pleasurable manner

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

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

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

highly enthusiastic

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

a frame of iron bars to hold a fire

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

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

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

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

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

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

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

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

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

unbiased impartial unconcern

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

become covered with mist

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

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

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

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

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

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

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

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

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

be seated

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

shining with brilliant points of light like stars

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

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

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

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

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

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

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

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

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

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

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

without forethought or plan; inadvertently

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

the topmost one of two

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

possessive form of “ward” — a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

the sensation caused by heat energy

From this reading A fire in the open grate in John Ward's study was pure luxury, for the room did not really need the warmth.

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

From this reading It was one of those deliciously cold evenings in early autumn.

a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

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

From this reading It had been a busy day for John, ending with the weekly prayer-meeting; and to sit now in front of the glowing fire, with Helen beside him, was a well-earned rest.

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

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.

a Caucasian

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

in the company of; together with

From this reading All day long the sparkling sunshine-scented air had held an exhilaration like wine, but now night had folded a thin mist across the hills, though the clear darkness of the upper sky was filled with the keen white light of innumerable stars.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading It was of that soft coal which people in the Middle States burn in happy indifference to its dust-making qualities, because of its charm of sudden-puffing flames, which burst from the bubbling blackness with a singing noise, like the explosion of an oak-gall stepped on unawares in the woods.