Chapter XXI

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

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

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

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

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

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

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

plural of “cart” — a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

causing dejection

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

plural of “dressing” — savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

one or the other of two

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

a period of fourteen consecutive days

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

having unexpected good fortune

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

destroyed or killed

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

something written by hand

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

an event that happens

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

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

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

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

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

a health facility where patients receive treatment

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

the literary culture

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

for more time

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

a period of time spent sleeping

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

as might be expected

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

not any; not one

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

a brief written record

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

plural of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

paying close attention especially to details

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

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

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

above and across; more than

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

plural of “patient” — a person who requires medical care

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

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

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

past form of “soothe” — give moral or emotional strength to

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

plural of “surgeon” — a physician who specializes in surgery

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

of or relating to or involving or used in surgery

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

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

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

up to a particular time

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

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

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

not yet opened or unsealed

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

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

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He kept this third letter unopened till the morning dressings were over, the carts of surgical supplies had ceased to move through the ward, and the surgeons and nurses had left behind them patients soothed and made comfortable and ready for the late morning nap which followed naturally upon the pain and fatigue of the dressings.

at the time that

From this reading Then, when his neighbours in the beds on either side were no longer observant, Black drew out the single sheet, feeling an instant sense of disappointment that the lines were so few.

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

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

which person or people

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

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 A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But to find this particular handwriting upon the third envelope was enough to flood the ward with light--for him, though to some others, near him, who had had no letters, it remained a sombre place, as before.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He was so fortunate as to have two other letters in this mail, a happening which of itself would have made the rainy day much less dismal.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading A PEAL OF BELLS By the time that a certain note of a few lines, written outside a Field Hospital window in France, had reached a certain Base Hospital, many miles away, Robert Black was able to open his own mail, for a fortnight had gone by.