Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

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

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

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

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

eagerly desirous

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

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

From this reading But nothing could be discovered.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But nothing could be discovered.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

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

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

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

From this reading But nothing could be discovered.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading But nothing could be discovered.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

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

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

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

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

not capable of being surmounted or overcome

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

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

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

go away from a place

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But nothing could be discovered.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

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

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

above and across; more than

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

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

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

continued in your keeping or use or memory

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

examine minutely or intensely

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

plural of “telescope” — a magnifier of images of distant objects

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

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

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

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

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

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

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The distant fields retained their quiet and smiling aspect under the mild rays of the autumn sun.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

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

From this reading Telescopes had been erected there; and every one was anxious to scan the horizon, and look for the Prussians.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

which person or people

From this reading Doubt, and something like a vague hope, could be traced in the tone of the people who met on the streets, saying, “Well, it’s all over: we can’t leave any more.

in the company of; together with

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading So that it really required quite an effort of imagination to realize the sinister fact, to understand that Paris, with its two millions of inhabitants, was indeed cut off from the world and separated from the rest of France, by an insurmountable circle of steel.