used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In fact, if I must confess it, I was nervous and ill at ease.
banishedverbUS /ˈbænɪʃt/
past form of “banish” — expel from a community or group
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
cigarsnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːrz/
plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading In fact, if I must confess it, I was nervous and ill at ease.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
depositedverbUS /dəˈpɑːzɪtɪd/
past form of “deposit” — put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
move gently or carefully
From this reading In fact, if I must confess it, I was nervous and ill at ease.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/
property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
grovesnounUS /ɡroʊvz/
United States general who served as military director of the atomic bomb project (1896-1970)
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
HarrodnounUS /ˈherəd/
English merchant who expanded his father's shop in London into a prestigious department store (1841-1905)
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
a social unit living together
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In fact, if I must confess it, I was nervous and ill at ease.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading In fact, if I must confess it, I was nervous and ill at ease.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
insinuatingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪnjuːeɪtɪŋ/
calculated to please or gain favor
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
insupportableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsəˈpɔːrtəbəl/
incapable of being justified or explained
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
and nothing more
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
LouisiananounUS /luːˌiːziˈænə/
a state in southern United States on the Gulf of Mexico; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
magnoliasnounUS /mæɡˈnoʊljəz/
plural of “magnolia” — dried bark of various magnolias; used in folk medicine
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
engage in
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading In fact, if I must confess it, I was nervous and ill at ease.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
easily agitated
From this reading In fact, if I must confess it, I was nervous and ill at ease.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
night-air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
orangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
overcoatnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊt/
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
PompnounUS /pɑːmp/
cheap or pretentious or vain display
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
get by special effort
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
slippersnounUS /ˈslɪpərz/
plural of “slipper” — low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
starlitadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrlɪt/
lighted only by stars
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
SummersnounUS /ˈsʌmərz/
plural of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
TennesseenounUS /ˌtenəˈsiː/
a state in east central United States
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
utilitynounUS /juːˈtɪləti/
a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
in or at the place that
From this reading First pulling off my boots and insinuating my feet into an easy old pair of slippers, I took the boots to the door and deposited them noiselessly in the hall, where small Pomp, the "general utility" man of the household, could find and black them in the morning.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The room seemed close and stifling, so I opened both window and door to secure the full benefit of the cool night-air, and then proceeded to make myself comfortable.
wintryadjectiveUS /ˈwɪntri/
characteristic of or occurring in winter
From this reading It was a clear, starlit night and very mild, almost warm, in fact; and having spent my Christmas but a few days before amid the orange groves and magnolias of Louisiana, I had prepared myself for something more wintry on the borders of Tennessee; but up to that time my overcoat had been insupportable.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The combined effects of half a dozen cigars and the conversation just concluded with Harrod Summers had banished all desire for sleep.
