Chapter XV

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

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

perfect or complete or pure

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

in addition

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

an upward slope or grade (as in a road)

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

having help; often used as a combining form

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

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

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

possessive form of “cardinal” — (Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

past form of “challenge” — take exception to

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

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

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

with the legs crossed

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

perceived or discerned

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

alight from (a horse)

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

divisible by two

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

give expression to

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

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

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

set up or found

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

the act of giving

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

set afire or burning

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

the force of workers available

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

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

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

a card game for two players using a reduced pack of 32 cards

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

having confidence restored; freed from anxiety

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

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

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

a tallow candle with a rush stem as the wick

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

filled with satisfaction

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

only a very short time before

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

provided with shutters or shutters as specified; often used in combination

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

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

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

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

From this reading He found five of monsignor’s picked men sitting cross-legged on the floor, around a rushlight, playing cards with perfect nonchalance.

with low volume

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

in the near future

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

plural of “taper” — a convex shape that narrows toward a point

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

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

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

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

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

in a tight or constricted manner

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

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

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

not closed or secured

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

up to a particular time

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

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

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

a slogan used to rally support for a cause

From this reading On this point, however, he was soon reassured, for he had scarcely taken three steps up before he was softly challenged, and giving the cardinal’s watchword, received the reply.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

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

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading But before he assisted mademoiselle to dismount, Péron went into the house also, and finding his way to the stairs, began the ascent; he could not be satisfied until he knew whether Richelieu’s men were there or not.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The tightly shuttered windows hid this faint illumination from the outside, and the soldiers played piquet in such absolute silence that their presence was not easily detected even by any one on the lower floor.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE SIGNAL CHOIN had been too well instructed by Péron to express any surprise at finding the door of the tall house unfastened, and he and one of his men entered, and lighted some tapers they had brought with them, in two of the lower rooms.