Chapter XXII · Chapter 22

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

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

anew

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

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

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

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

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

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

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

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

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

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

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

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

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

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

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

resembling or characteristic of a phantom

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

an estimate based on little or no information

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

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

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

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

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

the state of being honored

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

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

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

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

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

conformity or harmony

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

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

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

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 Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

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

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

a party of guests wearing costumes and masks

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

take part in a masquerade

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

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

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

in a moody manner

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

of an obscure nature

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

not any; not one

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

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

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

an insignificant place

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

possessive form of “queen” — the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

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

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

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

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

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

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

in a softened tone

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

carry out

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

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

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading Full of the discovery I had made, and with my thoughts running on the danger that threatened mademoiselle, I paced backward and forward before the door leading into the ante-room, my long shadow keeping me ghostly company.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

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

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

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

From this reading THE MASQUERADE That night it was my duty to take the guard outside the Queen's apartments.

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

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

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

From this reading It was the night of the great masque given by the King in honour of his Diane's birthday--the masque in which she was to flaunt in the Crown diamonds--and, as may be imagined, there was not a soul to be seen in the gallery that curved before me into dim, mysterious gloom.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Circumstances had made it impossible for me to have speech with De Lorgnac, and Le Brusquet was nowhere to be seen, so that I was unable to inform them of what I knew.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Now and again I thought I heard a laugh and the sound of subdued voices from within the ante-room; but, guessing that the mice were probably playing within, I paid no heed, and, being a little tired, seated myself on the coffer that lay in the shadow near the door, and stared moodily into the silence, absorbed in my own sombre reflections.