Chapter XXXVII

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

to come to rest, settle

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

moving or going or growing upward

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

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

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The house was very still, but it is not unusual for a house to be very still towards half-past one.

plural of “butler” — a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

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

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

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

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

the expensive silvery grey fur of the chinchilla

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

an external body part that projects from the body

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

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

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

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

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

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

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

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

From this reading The house was very still, but it is not unusual for a house to be very still towards half-past one.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

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

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

an indirect suggestion

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

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

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

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

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

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

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

superlative of “light” — of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

held dear

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

joined in matrimony

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

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

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

moderate to inferior in quality

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

the force of workers available

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

not any; not one

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

impressive in appearance

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

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

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

on one occasion

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

and nothing more

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

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

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

in a portentous manner

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

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

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

express in words

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

plural of “shortcoming” — a failing or deficiency

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

very large in expanse or scope

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

spatial largeness and extensiveness (especially inside a building)

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

not in physical motion

From this reading The house was very still, but it is not unusual for a house to be very still towards half-past one.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

sweep across or over

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

possessing sweep

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

carry out

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

in or at that place or location

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

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

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

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

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

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

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He threw his hat on a chair and, in following her, had time to be surprised at the spaciousness about him.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

the upper part of anything

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

in the direction of

From this reading The house was very still, but it is not unusual for a house to be very still towards half-past one.

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

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading The house was very still, but it is not unusual for a house to be very still towards half-past one.

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

lacking refinement or cultivation or taste

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

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

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

in or at the place that

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

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

From this reading For, from the outside, the house had looked one of those tall and narrow houses common in Mayfair, where ground-rent is high: there had been no hint of this wide and spacious hall in which the lightest steps resounded portentously.

which person or people

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Once in the hall of the house she did not look round at him: her steps rang sharply on the stone flags as she passed to a door at the far end of the wide and sombre hall of stone--for in it only one lamp was alight.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It was like the hall of a house in, say, Carlton House Terrace, it was a hall to hold two butlers--now that footmen have become vulgar--the one to take your hat and the other your name; and at its extremity, near the door through which the chinchilla had passed, there swept upwards with a wide sweep a noble marble stairway, the kind of stairway from the top of which men may fairly envisage the ascending grace of the women who might have loved them or the shortcomings of the woman they have married; for very grievous for a mediocre figure is the ascending of such a gracious stairway as this.