Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading I awoke to a most curious sensation.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

later than; following

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

(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 All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading I FALL AMONG SMUGGLERS.

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

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

plural of “apprehension” — fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

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

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

the act of waking

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading I awoke to a most curious sensation.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

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

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

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

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

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

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading I awoke to a most curious sensation.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading I FALL AMONG SMUGGLERS.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

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

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

plural of “guess” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

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

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I FALL AMONG SMUGGLERS.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

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 The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

used to form the superlative

From this reading I awoke to a most curious sensation.

in motion

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

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

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

not any; not one

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

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

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

and nothing more

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

the line that appears to bound an object

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

with speed

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

plural of “reality” — all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading I awoke to a most curious sensation.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

plural of “smuggler” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties

From this reading I FALL AMONG SMUGGLERS.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading All that followed my awakening passed so quickly that I cannot separate dreams now from guesses nor apprehensions from realities.

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

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

in a stealthy manner

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

not in physical motion

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

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

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

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

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

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

From this reading I awoke to a most curious sensation.

not seen or perceived

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

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

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.

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

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

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

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

but in spite of that

From this reading The night was still black and only the ridge of the cliff opposite showed, by the light of the many stars, its dull outline above; yet I felt that the whole beach had suddenly become crowded with people--that they were moving stealthily about me, whispering, picking their way among the loose stones, hunting me and yet hushing their voices as though themselves afraid.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading At first, you may be sure--wakened as I was from sleep--I had no doubt but that this unseen band of folk was after me.