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 IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

later than; following

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "Just genius," answered Laura complacently.

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

plural of “burst” — the act of exploding or bursting

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

showing who or what does the action

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

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

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

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

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

in a self-satisfied manner

From this reading "Just genius," answered Laura complacently.

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

plural of “cramp” — a painful and involuntary muscular contraction

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

absence of light or illumination

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

a branch of knowledge

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

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

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

a college or university building containing living quarters for students

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

at any time

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading "Just genius," answered Laura complacently.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

a person who cares for persons or property

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

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

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

and nothing more

From this reading "Just genius," answered Laura complacently.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

the sound of laughing

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

your grandmother

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

filled with satisfaction

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

an educational institution

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

from appearances alone

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

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

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

the state of being asleep

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

held in check with difficulty

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"

make steady

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

kept from public knowledge by various means

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading IN THE DORMITORY After a survey of several minutes of the dark and seemingly innocent room, the guardian of school discipline seemed satisfied, closed the door, and her footsteps died away at the end of the hall.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

moved around an axis or center

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

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

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

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

From this reading If she could have heard the bursts of smothered laughter as the lights were turned on and Laura and Bess, almost exhausted by their efforts to keep up that steady breathing, tumbled from the bed and the others rose from their hiding places and shook and stretched themselves to get the cramps out of their limbs!

during the time that

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

in the company of; together with

From this reading "That was a close call," gurgled Nan, breathless with suppressed laughter, while Grace asked chokingly:

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "How did you ever do that sleeping act so perfectly and keep it up so long?"