Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

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

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

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

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

draw someone's attention away from something

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

possessive form of “douglas” — United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

possessive form of “earl” — a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

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

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

set up or found

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

experiencing joy and pleasure

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

light informal conversation for social occasions

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

death of a person

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

a person who keeps watch over something or someone

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

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

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

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

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading And at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's heart sank within him.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

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

From this reading And at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's heart sank within him.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

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

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

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

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

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 So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

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

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

great merriment

From this reading And at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's heart sank within him.

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

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

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

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading And at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's heart sank within him.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

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

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

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

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

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

From this reading And at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's heart sank within him.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

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

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

in the near future

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading And at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's heart sank within him.

not in physical motion

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

like the short high ringing sound of a small bell

From this reading And at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's heart sank within him.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

people who have not confessed

From this reading So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

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

From this reading She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

at the time that

From this reading Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

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

From this reading THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading And at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's heart sank within him.