Chapter IX

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

Having no one else present.

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She walked forward and standing before it gazed at herself with a little smile.

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

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

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

in a beautiful manner

From this reading She was not a pretty woman, but she was certainly a striking and attractive one and quite beautifully gowned.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

a variable color averaging a vivid red

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading She was not a pretty woman, but she was certainly a striking and attractive one and quite beautifully gowned.

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

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

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

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading She walked forward and standing before it gazed at herself with a little smile.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading She walked forward and standing before it gazed at herself with a little smile.

plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

wearing a gown

From this reading She was not a pretty woman, but she was certainly a striking and attractive one and quite beautifully gowned.

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She walked forward and standing before it gazed at herself with a little smile.

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

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

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

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

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

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

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

From this reading She walked forward and standing before it gazed at herself with a little smile.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

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 Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

polished surface that forms images by reflecting light

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

not any; not one

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

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

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

according to the clock

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

out of fashion

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She was not a pretty woman, but she was certainly a striking and attractive one and quite beautifully gowned.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading She was not a pretty woman, but she was certainly a striking and attractive one and quite beautifully gowned.

the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading She was not a pretty woman, but she was certainly a striking and attractive one and quite beautifully gowned.

the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

protected from heat and light with shade or shadow

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading She walked forward and standing before it gazed at herself with a little smile.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

with low volume

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

having a supporting base

From this reading She walked forward and standing before it gazed at herself with a little smile.

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading She was not a pretty woman, but she was certainly a striking and attractive one and quite beautifully gowned.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

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

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

of or relating to Queen Victoria of Great Britain or to the age in which she ruled

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading She walked forward and standing before it gazed at herself with a little smile.

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

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

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

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

in or at the place that

From this reading A TELEPHONE CALL Maud Carmine was slowly pulling off her gloves before the fire in the old-fashioned drawing-room of the old-fashioned down-town house where she and her mother lived alone.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading It was not five o'clock, but the evenings were so short now that she hesitated whether or not to turn on the lights, but the firelight was brilliant and so much more attractive than electricity, no matter how softly shaded that might be.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading She was not a pretty woman, but she was certainly a striking and attractive one and quite beautifully gowned.

an affirmative

From this reading Yes, the firelight was so bright that in its radiance she could see her figure reflected in the long mirror between the windows with its ornate and early Victorian frame.