Chapter VIII · Love, War and Betrothal

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

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

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

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

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

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading --E. B. BROWNING.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

anemic looking from illness or emotion

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

a woman who has recently been married

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

United States inventor of firearms (especially automatic pistols and repeating rifles and a machine gun called the Peacemaker) (1855-1926)

From this reading --E. B. BROWNING.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

past form of “closet” — confine to a small space, as for intensive work

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

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

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading --E. B. BROWNING.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

at any time

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

all things; all of a situation

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

apart from; not including

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

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

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

a quick look

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

an established custom

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

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

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

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

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

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

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

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

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

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

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

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

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

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

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

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

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

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

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

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

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

not any; not one

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

not one, and not any

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

on one occasion

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

inflected form of “rap” — strike sharply

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

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

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

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

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

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

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

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

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

up to a particular time

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

impressive by reason of age

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

grow smaller

From this reading Once in the wane of that evening, Forrest rapped at the door for orders, and had caught a glimpse of his mistress’s blanched and haggard face, as she directed him to retire and wait until he should hear her bell.

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

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

take in marriage

From this reading “Her mother smiled upon her bed, As at its side we knelt to wed, And the bride rose from her knee; And she kissed the lips of her mother dead Or ever she kissed me.”

used to ask for information about something

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

which person or people

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

in the company of; together with

From this reading None ever knew what passed between Mrs. Helmstedt and the gray-haired stranger who was closeted with her, in her favorite parlor, for several hours, that evening.

a late time of life

From this reading No one was in the house, in fact, at the time, except the lady, her venerable guest, and her two confidential servants, Hildreth and Forrest, who had, of late years, grown into the habit of silence in regard to everything concerning their unhappy mistress.