Chapter XVI

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

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

(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 packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

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

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was Naomi who broke the long silence at last.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

lacking funds

From this reading It was Naomi who broke the long silence at last.

ruined by overcooking

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

plural of “crumb” — a very small quantity of something

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

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

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading "They have evidently gone," she said.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

bottle that has a narrow neck

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

destroyed or killed

From this reading "They have evidently gone," she said.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

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

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "They have evidently gone," she said.

comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

intense and profound fear

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

the color of freshly broken cast iron

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was Naomi who broke the long silence at last.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

immediately past

From this reading It was Naomi who broke the long silence at last.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

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 It was Naomi who broke the long silence at last.

for more time

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

the mother-in-law of Ruth whose story is told in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament

From this reading It was Naomi who broke the long silence at last.

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

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

not any; not one

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

the line that appears to bound an object

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

above and across; more than

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "They have evidently gone," she said.

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

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

responsive to physical stimuli

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading "They have evidently gone," she said.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading It was Naomi who broke the long silence at last.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

a window in a roof to admit daylight

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

not in physical motion

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "They have evidently gone," she said.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

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

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

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

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.

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

From this reading The packet of meat and bread was reduced to a piece of paper and a few crumbs; the little flask was empty, and the water-bag half its former size; but now that all was over, the horror of the night lay heavier upon them than during the night itself.

(of hair) having lost its color

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

which person or people

From this reading It was Naomi who broke the long silence at last.

in the company of; together with

From this reading IN THE MIDST OF DEATH The candle-ends had burnt out in the store; the moon no longer shone in through the skylight; but the latter was taking new shape, and a harder outline filled with an iron-gray that whitened imperceptibly, like a man's hair.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The strange trio within sat still and silent, watching each other grow out of the gloom like figures on a sensitive film.