Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But this morning he did more: he entered the room, shut the door behind him and looked about.

later than; following

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

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

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

any thing at all

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading But this morning he did more: he entered the room, shut the door behind him and looked about.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

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

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading But this morning he did more: he entered the room, shut the door behind him and looked about.

a condition in which an orderly system has been disrupted

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

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

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading But this morning he did more: he entered the room, shut the door behind him and looked about.

the organ of sight

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

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

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

a young female

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

the act of departing

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

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

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

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

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

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

From this reading But this morning he did more: he entered the room, shut the door behind him and looked about.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

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

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

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

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

property that is leased or rented out or let

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

give equal rights to; of women and minorities

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

fasten with a lock

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading But this morning he did more: he entered the room, shut the door behind him and looked about.

possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

plural of “metaphor” — a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading But this morning he did more: he entered the room, shut the door behind him and looked about.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

on one occasion

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

-ing form of “quote” — repeat a passage from

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

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

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

a member of a senate

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading But this morning he did more: he entered the room, shut the door behind him and looked about.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

in the near future

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

the first light of day

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

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

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

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

From this reading But this morning he did more: he entered the room, shut the door behind him and looked about.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

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

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

not firmly fastened or secured

From this reading Soon after sunrise the Senator came and unlocked the doors of Ortensia's day-room.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading 'The master's eye fattens the horse,' he said to himself, quoting a Spanish proverb without much regard for metaphors.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.

an established custom

From this reading It was his wont to open the door, and to look into the large room before going away, for he was sure that his eye would at once detect the slightest disarrangement of the furniture, or anything else unusual which might warrant suspicion.

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

From this reading That had always been his custom, for he kept the key under his pillow, as has been said, and he would as soon have thought of sending a servant to liberate the girl and the woman in the morning as of letting any one but himself lock them in at night.