Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

(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 A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

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

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

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

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

a plumbing fixture for defecation and urination

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

plural of “disaster” — a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

the act of departing

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

an opening into or through something

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

in order that something should not happen

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

structures collectively in which people are housed

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

joined in matrimony

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

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

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

suppress in order to conceal or hide

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Nana's little bed stood in the small room, the door of which had to be left open at night, lest the child should stifle.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

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

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

the act of supplying fresh air and getting rid of foul air

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

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

From this reading DISASTERS AND CHANGES The new lodging of the Coupeaus was next that of the Bijards.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

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

From this reading A chamber and a small room, about as large as one's hand, were all the Coupeaus had now.

at the time that

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

in or at the place that

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

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

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.

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 When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading When it came to the final move Gervaise felt that she could not separate from the commode which she had spent so much time in polishing when first married and insisted on its going to their new quarters, where it was much in the way and stopped up half the window, and when Gervaise wished to look out into the court she had not room for her elbows.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Almost opposite their door was a closet under the stairs which went up to the roof--a mere hole without light or ventilation, where Father Bru slept.