used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
adequatelyadverbUS /ˈædəkwətli/
in an adequate manner or to an adequate degree
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
(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 A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
antagonistnounUS /ænˈtæɡənəst/
someone who offers opposition
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
from appearances alone
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
arrangementsnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənts/
plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
avertedverbUS /əˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “avert” — prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
of short duration or distance
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
dabbledadjectiveUS /ˈdæbəld/
covered with bright patches (often used in combination)
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
extremitynounUS /ekˈstreməti/
an external body part that projects from the body
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
gaitnounUS /ɡeɪt/
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
intense and profound fear
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
intrusionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːʒən/
any entry into an area not previously occupied
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
latchverbUS /lætʃ/
fasten with a latch
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
come together
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
a particular point in time
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
not one, and not any
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
perceptibleadjectiveUS /pərˈseptəbəl/
capable of being perceived by the mind or senses
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
a human being
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
portrayverbUS /pɔːrˈtreɪ/
portray in words
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
bring forth or yield
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
totteringadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːtərɪŋ/
unsteady in gait as from infirmity or old age
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
the topmost one of two
From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
in or at the place that
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
in the company of; together with
From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.