Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

possessing life

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

past form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

with brightness

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

decrease in size, extent, or range

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

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 He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

having a specified kind of border or edge

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

set up or found

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

in a gradual manner

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

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

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

conformity or harmony

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

set afire or burning

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

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

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

without a moon or a visible moon

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

of an obscure nature

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

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

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

not any; not one

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

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

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

a course of conduct

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

the stealing of cattle

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

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

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

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

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

bound or secured closely

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

up to a particular time

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

precisely as stated

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

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

From this reading By the time he reached the castle, the night was dark indeed.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading There were no other lights to be seen, and he edged his way round to the front of the house, which loomed very black and mysterious against the liquid darkness of the moonless sky.

in or at the place that

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

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

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Keeping on the grass, and with every precaution of silence, Gimblet crept along till he thought he was outside the drawing-room.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading A little wind had risen, and the sound of a million leaves rustling gently on the trees of the woods around was added to the distant murmur of the burn, so that the night seemed full of noises, and every bush alive and watching.

plural of “zigzag” — an angular shape characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions

From this reading He approached it by the path along the burn, and felt his way cautiously up the steep zigzags of the hill, and past the servants' quarters, where a dog barked and gave him an uneasy minute till he found that it was tied up, and that the noise which issued from a brilliantly lighted window--which he guessed to be the servants' hall--did not cease or diminish on account of it.