Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

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

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

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

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

anew

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

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

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

a formal public statement

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

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

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

a city in western Germany on the Rhine River; was the capital of West Germany between 1949 and 1989

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

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

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

the specified day of the month

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

let fall to the ground

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

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

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

in a free manner

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

a man of refinement

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

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

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

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

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

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

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

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

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

and nothing more

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

immediately past

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

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 Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

changed from a solid to a liquid state

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

not any; not one

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

of a stringed instrument; sounded with the fingers or a plectrum

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

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

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

on the contrary

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

let for money

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

superlative of “sad” — experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

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

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

not in physical motion

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading Ida answered his ring, for her father was still at his government office, and her mother had gone out to the market to buy the supper.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

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

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

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

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

the body of faculty and students at a university

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

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

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

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

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

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

From this reading The 25th of May, 1866, was no doubt to many a quite indifferent date, but to two persons it was the saddest day of their lives.

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

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

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

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

in or at the place that

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

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

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Charles Randall that day left Bonn, Germany, to catch the steamer home to America, and Ida Werner was left with a mountain of grief on her gentle bosom, which must be melted away drop by drop, in tears, before she could breathe freely again.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She would much rather her mother had been at home to show the gentleman the rooms; but, knowing that they could not afford to lose a chance to rent them, she plucked up courage, and, candle in hand, showed him through the suite.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

a light enclosing framework (trade name Zimmer) with rubber castors or wheels and handles; helps invalids or the handicapped or the aged to walk

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.

evil storm god represented as a black bird

From this reading A year before, Randall, hunting for apartments, his last term at the university just begun, had seen the announcement, “_Zimmer zu vermiethen_,” in the hall below the flat where the Werners lived.