used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
aggressiveadjectiveUS /əˈɡresɪv/
having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
(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 It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
beliedverbUS /bɪˈlaɪd/
past form of “belie” — be in contradiction with
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
boldnessnounUS /ˈboʊldnəs/
the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
BowlesverbUS /boʊlz/
third-person singular of “bowl” — roll (a ball)
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
crevicenounUS /ˈkrevəs/
a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
darklyadverbUS /ˈdɑːrkli/
without light
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
defeatedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfiːtəd/
beaten or overcome; not victorious
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
defyingverbUS /dɪˈfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
despondencynounUS /dɪˈspɑːndənsi/
feeling downcast and disheartened and hopeless
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
doublyadverbUS /ˈdʌbli/
to double the degree
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
downcastadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnkæst/
directed downward
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
droopedverbUS /druːpt/
past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
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 now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
excludeverbUS /ɪkˈskluːd/
prevent from being included or considered or accepted
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
fightsnounUS /faɪts/
plural of “fight” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
furrows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
habituallyadverbUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəli/
according to habit or custom
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
half-closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
harvestnounUS /ˈhɑːrvəst/
the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
ten 10s
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
listlesslyadverbUS /ˈlɪstləsli/
in a listless manner
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His brow, which was habitually open and frank, in its defying aggressive boldness, was now contracted into deep furrows, and lowered darkly over his downcast, half-closed eyes.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
posturenounUS /ˈpɑːstʃər/
the arrangement of the body and its limbs
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
prostrationnounUS /prɑːˈstreɪʃən/
an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
raynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
worried and uneasy
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
silveryadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlvəri/
resembling or reminiscent of silver
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN his room, solitary and brooding, sat the defeated hero of a hundred fights.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
up to a particular time
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
male cat
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading The man's head drooped on his breast; his strong hands rested listlessly on his knees: his attitude was that of utter despondency and prostration.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But in the expression of his face there were the signs of some dangerous and restless thought which belied not the gloom but the stillness of the posture.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was now twilight; but the shutters had been partially closed all day, in order to exclude the sun, which had never before been unwelcome to Tom Bowles, and they still remained so, making the twilight doubly twilight, till the harvest moon, rising early, shot its ray through the crevice, and forced a silvery track amid the shadows of the floor.
