Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

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

From this reading "Thy brother Death came, and cried, 'Wouldst thou me?'

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

a bright green fabric napped to resemble felt; used to cover gaming tables

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

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

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

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

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading "Thy brother Death came, and cried, 'Wouldst thou me?'

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

From this reading "Thy brother Death came, and cried, 'Wouldst thou me?'

any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

growing close together but not in dense mats

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading "Thy brother Death came, and cried, 'Wouldst thou me?'

the first light of day

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading "Thy brother Death came, and cried, 'Wouldst thou me?'

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

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

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

without liveliness

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The place was packed with girls.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading And I replied, 'No, not thee!'"--_Shelley_.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Thy brother Death came, and cried, 'Wouldst thou me?'

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

in an anxiously nervous manner

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

not any; not one

From this reading And I replied, 'No, not thee!'"--_Shelley_.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And I replied, 'No, not thee!'"--_Shelley_.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

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

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

above and across; more than

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

extremely crowed or filled to capacity

From this reading The place was packed with girls.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The place was packed with girls.

at breakneck speed

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading And I replied, 'No, not thee!'"--_Shelley_.

not arrogant or presuming

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

English writer who created Frankenstein's monster and married Percy Bysshe Shelley (1797-1851)

From this reading And I replied, 'No, not thee!'"--_Shelley_.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

having a supporting base

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

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

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading And I replied, 'No, not thee!'"--_Shelley_.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading "Thy brother Death came, and cried, 'Wouldst thou me?'

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading "Thy brother Death came, and cried, 'Wouldst thou me?'

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

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

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

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

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

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

a Caucasian

From this reading Some clustered near the baize door, standing nervously on tip-toe and with the intent of retiring precipitately if there should be any sign of the Principal; others hung over the stair or gallery banisters; the domestic staff stood round their own particular door, their white faces shining dully like Chinese lanterns; no one spoke or moved.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The electric lights gave out a kind of fictitious radiance against the dull grey of the hall windows through which the dawn was struggling.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The place was packed with girls.

an old form of “would”, used with “thou”

From this reading "Thy brother Death came, and cried, 'Wouldst thou me?'