Chapter II · A Passage-at-Arms

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

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

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

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

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

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

a quality that outshines the usual

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

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

From this reading A Chinaman’s shop at the lane corner opened upon this street.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading A Chinaman’s shop at the lane corner opened upon this street.

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

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

plural of “crossing” — traveling across

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

being one more than seven

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

every person

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

to a faint degree or weakly perceived

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

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

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

depressingly dark

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

destroyed or killed

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

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

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

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

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

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

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

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

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

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

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

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

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

past form of “intersect” — meet at a point

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

a narrow way or road

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

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

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

comparative of “lively” — full of life and energy

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

in motion

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

according to the clock

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

and nothing more

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading A Chinaman’s shop at the lane corner opened upon this street.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

except for; apart from

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

do one's shopping

From this reading A Chinaman’s shop at the lane corner opened upon this street.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

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

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

having a supporting base

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading A Chinaman’s shop at the lane corner opened upon this street.

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

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

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

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

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

From this reading A Chinaman’s shop at the lane corner opened upon this street.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

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

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

in the direction of

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

move through by or as by digging

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

up to a particular time

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A Chinaman’s shop at the lane corner opened upon this street.

precisely as stated

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

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

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A stranger standing at one of the numerous crossings that intersected the lane, and looking up or down the narrow way, might imagine he was peering into some gloomy tunnel were it not for the brilliancy of the stars overhead.

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

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

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

From this reading The cross-streets were very much brighter and livelier, and that one towards which Susan and her sister directed their steps was particularly bright.

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

From this reading It was quiet, too; only three or four persons were to be seen moving about, and the innumerable dogs would not begin to bark until nearly everybody had gone to bed.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading It was about eight o’clock; and, save for a few lights gleaming faintly here and there in the yards and the little houses, the lane was in darkness.