Chapter XXX

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

(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 All of the stock revolutionary phrases came fluently to his lips.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

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

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

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

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading All of the stock revolutionary phrases came fluently to his lips.

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

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

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

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

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

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

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

in a fluent manner

From this reading All of the stock revolutionary phrases came fluently to his lips.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

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

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading All of the stock revolutionary phrases came fluently to his lips.

be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

plural of “mason” — American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

and nothing more

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

above and across; more than

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

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

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading All of the stock revolutionary phrases came fluently to his lips.

plural of “placard” — a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

an executive officer of a firm or corporation

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

relating to a president or presidency

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

a disorderly crowd of people

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

markedly new or introducing radical change

From this reading All of the stock revolutionary phrases came fluently to his lips.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Don Paco was a veritable river of words.

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

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

an educational institution

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

a meeting for execution of a group's functions

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading All of the stock revolutionary phrases came fluently to his lips.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

express in words

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

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

From this reading A CONFERENCE A few days later, at nine-thirty in the evening, Quentin climbed the stairs of a house on the Calle del Cister.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading All of the stock revolutionary phrases came fluently to his lips.

past form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

often used as intensifiers

From this reading Don Paco was a veritable river of words.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

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

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

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

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

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

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

a Caucasian

From this reading Quentin could not tell whether the honourable Masons there assembled were in a white meeting or coloured meeting; the session must have been over, for the President, Don Paco, was perorating--though now deprived of his presidential dignity--among the rabble of the Aventine Hill.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He entered the second floor, traversed the lay-brother’s school--a large room with tables in rows and placards on the walls--and passed into the Lodge, which was a garret with a table at one end and an oil lamp that provided the only light.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Don Paco was a veritable river of words.