Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

(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 It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

replying

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

deem to be

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

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

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

called forth from a latent or potential state by stimulation

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

made afraid

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

with the head foremost

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

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

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

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

From this reading THE HERMIT'S HUT.

temporary military shelter

From this reading THE HERMIT'S HUT.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

fasten with a latch

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

a particular point in time

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

not any; not one

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

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

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

get or find back; recover the use of

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

express in words

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

not in physical motion

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

move an implement through

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

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

From this reading THE HERMIT'S HUT.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

very small

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Strange to say, she did not feel at all frightened now; the shelter of the four walls gave her confidence.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She stood still for a moment in the complete darkness to recover breath, and to consider what she was to do.

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

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was perfectly dark inside the hut, for the little window, through which the moon might have shone, was well shrouded with a piece of old rug.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It was perfectly dark, and Maggie, although she had stumbled a good deal in lifting the latch, and having to descend a step without knowing it, had all but tumbled headlong into the tiny abode, had evoked no answering sound or stir of any sort.