Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

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

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

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

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

plural of “assailant” — someone who attacks

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The lantern had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

coming down or downward

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

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

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

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

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The lantern had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

an old word for “before”

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement

From this reading The lantern had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

at a previous time

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

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

From this reading The lantern had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle.

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

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

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

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

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

From this reading The lantern had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle.

give free rein to

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

light in a transparent protective case

From this reading The lantern had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle.

with relatively high volume

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

past form of “lull” — calm by deception

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

not any; not one

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

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

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

by chance

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

get or find back; recover the use of

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

action taken in return for an injury or offense

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

disorderly fighting

From this reading The lantern had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle.

try to get or reach

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

preservation of yourself from harm; a natural or instinctive tendency

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

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

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

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

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

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

From this reading The hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made self-preservation the adept’s first object.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading The lantern had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

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

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

precisely as stated

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

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

From this reading But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.

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

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by the rain, which was descending very fast.

but in spite of that

From this reading The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain in what direction he was to seek it.