Chapter XXXIX

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

Having no one else present.

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

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

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT SORRENTO.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

destitute of blood or apparently so

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

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

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

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

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

weakening in force or intensity

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

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

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

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

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

in a languid and lethargic manner

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

in the recent past

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

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

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

a port and tourist center in southwestern Italy; capital of the Campania region

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

above and across; more than

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

reflecting optimism

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

third-person singular of “sit” — be seated

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

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

From this reading AT SORRENTO.

of or relating to a spectrum

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

having a sunken area

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

precisely as stated

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

wanting in physical strength

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

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

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

in or at the place that

From this reading As he sits there, where he has sat for hours, lonely and alone, the door opens, and an English face looks in--the face of an Englishman of the lower classes.

which person or people

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

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 low light in the western sky was fading out; the bay of Naples lay rosy in the haze of the dying day; the soft, sweet wind floated over the waters; the fishing boats were coming in; and on this scene an invalid, looking from a window high up on the sea-washed cliff of Sorrento, gazed languidly.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading For he was surely an invalid who sat in that window chair and gazed at the wondrous Italian sea, and that lovely Italian sky.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading Surely an invalid, with that pallid face, those spectral, hollow eyes, those sunken cheeks, those bloodless lips; surely an invalid, and one but very lately risen from the very gates of death, a pale shadow, worn and weak as a child.