used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
(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 walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
AmidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
antiqueadjectiveUS /ænˈtiːk/
made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
crevicenounUS /ˈkrevəs/
a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
dazzledadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəld/
having vision overcome temporarily by or as if by intense light
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
dearly-loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
discernverbUS /dɪˈsɜːrn/
detect with the senses
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
opinion or judgment
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
feebleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːbəl/
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
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 The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
provided with artificial light
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
not any; not one
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
rangedverbUS /reɪndʒd/
past form of “range” — change or be different within limits
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
richlyadverbUS /ˈrɪtʃli/
to an ample degree or in an ample manner
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
rollsnounUS /roʊlz/
plural of “roll” — rotary motion of an object around its own axis
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
Identical; not different.
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
cut with a saw
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
ShadyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdi/
quiet, dark, or concealed
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
stranger'snounUS /ˈstreɪndʒərz/
possessive form of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading 'I never saw a better effect of darkness,' said the stranger; 'but is there no possibility of letting daylight in here?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
uncoveredadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌvərd/
not covered with clothing
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
the act of using
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
vellumnoun
a heavy creamy-colored paper resembling parchment
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading By degrees the stranger's eyes, at first dazzled by daylight, were able to discern something of what was around.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Amid objects so sombre, the feeble rays of the lantern, which Shady had now drawn up, were of little use.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Familiar as he was with every crevice of his dearly-loved resort, having closed the door on the inside, Shady without difficulty lowered a large lantern, that hung from the centre of the roof, and lit two of the candles ranged within it.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The walls, the roof, and the floor, were all of dark polished oak--the roof richly carved; books and vellum rolls in antique cases, all of the same dark wood, left little of the walls uncovered.
