Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

a small recess opening off a larger room

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

equally

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

(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 XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

noisy quarrel

From this reading At first, however, she failed to grasp the import of the altercation.

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

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

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

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

any thing at all

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

a line of approach

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

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

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

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

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

movement that causes the formation of a curve

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

an uproarious party

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

stubbornly unyielding

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

to say again or imitate

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading At first, however, she failed to grasp the import of the altercation.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

a young female

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

hold firmly

From this reading At first, however, she failed to grasp the import of the altercation.

a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

in a hateful manner

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

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

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

to a considerable degree

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

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

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

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

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

intense and profound fear

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading At first, however, she failed to grasp the import of the altercation.

state of violent mental agitation

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country

From this reading At first, however, she failed to grasp the import of the altercation.

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

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

only partly in existence; imperfectly formed

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

in a numb manner; without feeling

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

the act of departing

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

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

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

intense aversion

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

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

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

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

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

shaking convulsively or violently

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

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

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

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

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

violent pangs of suffering

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

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

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

past form of “wage” — carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

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 XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

wanting in physical strength

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading On the corner of Fifth Avenue he paused, startled fairly out of his dour mood by the loud echo of a name already become too hatefully familiar to his ears, and by the sight of what, at first glance, he took to be the beginning of a street brawl.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

in the company of; together with

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.

the words that are spoken

From this reading And she dropped with gratitude into a chair, bending an ear attentive to the war of words being waged in the room beyond the portières.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading But insensibly the tremor wore itself away, leaving her weary and worn but mistress of her thoughts and actions.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

From this reading XIII FLIGHT In the alcove the girl waited, torn in the throes of incipient hysteria: at first too weak from reaction and revulsion of feeling to do anything other than lean heavily against the wall and fight with all her strength and will against this crawling, shuddering, creeping horror of nerves, that threatened alike her self-control, her consciousness, and her reason.