Chapter XXVII · In Black Star’s Hands

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

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

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

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

next to; at the side of

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

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

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

sheet of slate; for writing with chalk

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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

From this reading To one side were six members of the band, each dressed in black robe and mask.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading To one side were six members of the band, each dressed in black robe and mask.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

ludicrously odd

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

informal intensifiers

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

a short vivid experience

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

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

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

an aggressive and violent young criminal

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

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

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

an airplane powered by one or more jet engines

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

the hole where a key is inserted

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

in a wasteful manner

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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 At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

hide under a false appearance

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

imposing in size or bulk or solidity

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading To one side were six members of the band, each dressed in black robe and mask.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

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

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

any loose flowing garment

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

cut with a saw

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

get rid of

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading To one side were six members of the band, each dressed in black robe and mask.

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

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

having a supporting base

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

plural of “tapestry” — something that resembles a tapestry in its intricacy

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading At the end of a long table and beside this lamp stood the Black Star, his robe and hood and mask in place and the star of flaming jet flashing on the hood.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

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

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

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

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

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

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

which person or people

From this reading The man who peered through the keyhole saw a large room, furnished lavishly.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Behind him was the blackboard upon which he wrote orders to those of his band not enough trusted to hear his voice.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading The furniture was massive and antique; the rugs on the floor were valuable; tapestries of rare worth were there; cut glass was on a heavy buffet at one side of the room; an antique lamp standing near the center of the room shed an uncertain yellow light that made some things look grotesque and others fantastic.