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 One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

(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 The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

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

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

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

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

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

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

eagerly desirous

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

out of bed

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

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

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

with brightness

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

lighted by or as if by twilight

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

divisible by two

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

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

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

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

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

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

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

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

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

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

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

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

From this reading JINNY.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

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

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

provided with artificial light

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

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

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

the mansion of a lord or wealthy person

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

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

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

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

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

under normal conditions

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

a panel or section of panels in a wall or door

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

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

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

on the contrary

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

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

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

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

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

ready to fall asleep

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

carry out

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

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

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

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

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

in the direction of

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

plural of “trophy” — an award for success in war or hunting

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

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

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

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

From this reading From an early part of the evening it was apparent that something unusual was about to take place.

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

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.

which person or people

From this reading There was no cheerfulness, however, on the face of the lord of the manor himself; and there was nothing but a keen and anxious sympathy in the regard of his friend the Vicar, who had come to keep him company.

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

From this reading One night towards the end of that interval a strange scene occurred in the old manor-house of Kingscourt, Wiltshire.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The sleepy old mansion was all astir, a big fire blazed in the fireplace of the hall, and even the long corridor, which was in effect a picture-gallery, and ordinarily looked rather grim with its oak panelling and dusky portraits and trophies of arms, had been so brilliantly lit up that it seemed almost cheerful.