Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together

From this reading It was by Mr. Levice’s desire that these four had assembled here.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

past form of “bathe” — cleanse the entire body

From this reading No one touches him; bathed in sunlight, as he was, the others seemed in shadow.

a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was by Mr. Levice’s desire that these four had assembled here.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

lacking in variety and interest

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

decorative cover for a bed

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

a natural object that covers or envelops

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

a decorative bedspread (usually quilted)

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading It was by Mr. Levice’s desire that these four had assembled here.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

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

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It was by Mr. Levice’s desire that these four had assembled here.

a state of high honor

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading It was by Mr. Levice’s desire that these four had assembled here.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

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

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading It was by Mr. Levice’s desire that these four had assembled here.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

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

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

without knowledge or intention

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

in a listless manner

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

not any; not one

From this reading No one touches him; bathed in sunlight, as he was, the others seemed in shadow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

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

From this reading No one touches him; bathed in sunlight, as he was, the others seemed in shadow.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

located far away spatially

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading No one touches him; bathed in sunlight, as he was, the others seemed in shadow.

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

From this reading No one touches him; bathed in sunlight, as he was, the others seemed in shadow.

plural of “shaft” — a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was by Mr. Levice’s desire that these four had assembled here.

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It was by Mr. Levice’s desire that these four had assembled here.

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

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

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

From this reading Ruth, lovely in her pallor, sat near him; Mrs. Levice, on the other side of the bed, leaned back in her chair placed close to her husband’s pillow; more remote, though inadvertently so, sat Dr. Kemp.

plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body

From this reading No one touches him; bathed in sunlight, as he was, the others seemed in shadow.

in the direction of

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

past form of “trail” — to lag or linger behind

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.

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

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He was sitting up, supported by many pillows; his face was hollow and colorless; his hands lay listlessly upon the counterpane.

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

From this reading It was by Mr. Levice’s desire that these four had assembled here.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Shafts of pale sunlight darted into the room and rested on Mr. Levice’s hair, covering it with a silver glory,--they trailed along the silken coverlet, but stopped there; one little beam strayed slowly, and almost as if with intention, toward Arnold, seated near the foot of the bed.