Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

later than; following

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

aroused or activated

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

a youthful male person

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

having received what was desired

From this reading THE WISH GRATIFIED.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

with gusto and without reservation

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

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 The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

set down according to a plan

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

make less severe or harsh

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

being or made softer or less loud or clear

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

the open circular discharging end of a gun

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

compacted by ironing

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

move hurridly

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

for a short time

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

be seated

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

deeply or completely

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

not in physical motion

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

moving very fast

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

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

From this reading THE WISH GRATIFIED.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

at the time that

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

which person or people

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

open wide

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading THE WISH GRATIFIED.

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.