Chapter XV

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

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

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

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

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

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

again but in a new or different way

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

third-person singular of “announce” — make known; make an announcement

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

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

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

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

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

inflected form of “confer” — have a conference in order to talk something over

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

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

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading What is New Year's day to most mortals?

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

third-person singular of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

a newspaper or official journal

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

plural of “groan” — an utterance expressing pain or disapproval

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

having or involving the use of hands

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

an event that happens

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

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

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

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

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

plural of “individual” — a human being

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

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

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

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

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

a domain in which something is dominant

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

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

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

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

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

plural of “mortal” — a human being

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

used to form the superlative

From this reading What is New Year's day to most mortals?

plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

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

From this reading What is New Year's day to most mortals?

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

having official authority or sanction

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

above and across; more than

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

text handwritten in the style of printed matter

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

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

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

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

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

in the near future

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

having a supporting base

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

not in physical motion

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

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

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

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

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

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

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

having passed out of existence

From this reading Some mortals maintain that the kingdom of the fairies has vanished, but it still exists.

plural of “wedge” — any shape that is triangular in cross section

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

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

From this reading Strange things were always happening during the days and nights of Christmas week.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What is New Year's day to most mortals?

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

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

the words that are spoken

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

plural of “workman” — an employee who performs manual or industrial labor

From this reading In a large building, standing back from the king's street, there are silent workmen, placing strange wedges side by side, which wedges are afterward handed over to a huge monster.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading It is still at rest, but as soon as it receives them, it suddenly moves, creaks, groans and puffs, and, in an instant, hundreds of human beings are, as it were, created anew.--In other words, it is the government printing-office, and they are printing the official gazette, which at the beginning of every year, announces the promotion and the orders conferred upon hundreds of individuals.

possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading What is New Year's day to most mortals?