Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

-ing form of “agree” — be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

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

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

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

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

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

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

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

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

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

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

one or the other of two

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

United States paleontologist and popularizer of science (1941-2002)

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

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

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

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

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading 'Oh, how nice you look!'

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

incapability of existing or occurring

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

in the recent past

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

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

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading 'Oh, how nice you look!'

plural of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

a form of address for a man

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading 'Oh, how nice you look!'

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading 'Oh, how nice you look!'

of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

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

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

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

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

held in check with difficulty

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

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

From this reading May was deeply concerned in Fred's grievance, and, discussing it, or the new Shelbourne scandal--the loves of the large lady and the little man at the other end of the corridor--they lingered about each other's bedroom-doors.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Alice could now hear them talking as they descended the staircase together; then a burst of smothered laughter, and May came in to see her.

not given to gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading 'If you don't "mash" Mr. Harding to-night, he'll be a tough one indeed.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

the act of using

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

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

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

which person or people

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Alice and Olive slept in two rooms on the third floor, on either side of their mother; May and Mrs. Gould were on the fourth, and next to May was Fred Scully, who, under the pretext of the impossibility of his agreeing with his mother concerning the use of a latch-key, had lately moved into the hotel.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading 'Oh, how nice you look!'