Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

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

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

in a state of sleep

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.

only a very short time before

From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

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

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

any utterance produced simultaneously by a group

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

plural of “cock” — obscene terms for penis

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

-ing form of “consider” — deem to be

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

-ing form of “coo” — speak softly or lovingly

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

an instance of boastful talk

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

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

From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

the overhang at the lower edge of a roof

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

opinion or judgment

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

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

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

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

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

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

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.

immediately past

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

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

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

without a sound

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

above and across; more than

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

plural of “pigeon” — wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

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

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

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

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

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

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

without speaking

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

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

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

not in physical motion

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

in a swift manner

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

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

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

a just detectable amount

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

not known or well known

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

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

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

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

From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.

migratory

From this reading She lay perfectly still, listening, remembering, her eyes wandering over the dim, unfamiliar room.

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

From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.

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

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

at the time that

From this reading It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.

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

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

during the time that

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

-ing form of “whimper” — cry weakly or softly

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Suddenly, through the foot-bars of her bed she caught sight of Stephanie lying sound asleep on the couch, and she sat up--swiftly, noiselessly, staring at her out of wide eyes from which the last trace of dreams had fled.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Through thin silk curtains a little of the early light penetrated; she heard the ceaseless chorus of the birds, cocks crowing near and far away, the whimpering flight of pigeons around the eaves above her windows, and their low, incessant cooing.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading For a long while she remained upright among her pillows, looking at Stephanie, remembering, considering; then, with decision, she slipped silently out of bed, and went about her dressing without a sound.