Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

a compact fine-textured, usually white gypsum used for carving

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

(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 There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

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

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

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

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

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

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

show off

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

the act of burning something

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

changeable

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

plural of “chandelier” — branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

European weed naturalized in southwestern United States and Mexico having reddish decumbent stems with small fernlike leaves and small deep reddish-lavender flowers followed by slender fruits that stick straight up; often grown for forage

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

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

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

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

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

move gently or carefully

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

to say again or imitate

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

intense or sharp

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

a young female

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

the act of giving

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

dazzlingly beautiful

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

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

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

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

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

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

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

used to form the superlative

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

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

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

not any; not one

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

denoting or characteristic of countries of the Far East

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

past form of “preside” — act as president

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

possessing material wealth

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

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

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

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

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

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

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.

except for; apart from

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

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

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

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

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading The lights in the chandeliers had been extinguished; and save that which crept in from the moon, and that emitted from a small night-lamp, burning behind its alabaster shade, the room lay in soft shadow.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

statues collectively

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

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

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

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

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

-ing form of “toll” — ring slowly

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

plural of “vas” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

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

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

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

From this reading _Della._ The city clocks were tolling midnight, and the moon rode high in the heavens.

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

From this reading The room in which she was sitting presented a scene of almost oriental ease and luxury.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading There was the rich carpet, giving back no echo to the tread, the gorgeous divans, into which the form sank as into down, the glittering chandeliers, the rare and exquisite vases, statuary, birds, books, and all that the capricious, self-willed spirit, which presided there, could wish to draw around her.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading In one of the most elegant houses Apollo-street could boast, sat a young girl.