Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

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

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

in addition

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

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

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

the force by which one object attracts another

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

a room (as in a residence) containing a bathtub or shower and usually a washbasin and toilet

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

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

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

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

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

past form of “blister” — get blistered

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

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

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

the top edge of a vessel or other container

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

capable of being imagined

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

-ing form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

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

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

the quality of being a hindrance

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

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

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

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

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

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

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

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

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

Reduced to poverty; having very little money or resources.

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

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

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

immediately past

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

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

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

a female domestic

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

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

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

not any; not one

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

no longer in use

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

in a heavy and oppressive way

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

make a painting

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

in a pretty manner

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

plural of “reverberation” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

of or relating to or located on the banks of a river or stream

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

possessive form of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

express in words

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

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

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

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

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

characteristic of or befitting a slut or slattern; used especially of women

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

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

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

plural of “strip” — a relatively long narrow piece of something

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

a plaster now made mostly from Portland cement and sand and lime; applied while soft to cover exterior walls or surfaces

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

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

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

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

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

the upper part of anything

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

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

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

a resident of Venice

From this reading One of a semi-detached couple built close to the road, with narrow strips of garden to the river's brim, its dingy stucco front and its green Venetian blinds conveyed no conceivable attraction beyond that of a situation more likely to prove a drawback three seasons out of the four.

precisely as stated

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

of or relating to Queen Victoria of Great Britain or to the age in which she ruled

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

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

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

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

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading It was not for Lady Laura that I asked, however, but for Miss Belsize, and the almost slatternly maid really couldn't say whether Miss Belsize was in or whether she wasn't.

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

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

the time of a woman's life when she is a widow

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A Secret Service This house also was on the river, but it was very small bricks-and-mortar compared with the other two.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading The wooden gate had not swung home behind me before I was at the top of a somewhat dirty flight of steps, contemplating blistered paint and ground glass fit for a bathroom window, and listening to the last reverberations of an obsolete type of bell.

but in spite of that

From this reading There was indeed something oppressively and yet prettily Victorian about the riparian retreat to which Lady Laura Belsize had retired in her impoverished widowhood.