Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

(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 Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

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

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

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

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

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

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

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

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

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

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

offering little or no hope

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

a decorative framework to conceal curtain fixtures at the top of a window casing

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

in a corresponding manner

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

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

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

the state of being poorly illuminated

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

detect with the senses

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

special importance or significance

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

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

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

the act of giving

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

marked with or divided into degrees

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

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

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

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

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

causing intoxication

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

and nothing more

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

provided with artificial light

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

full of life and energy

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

plural of “moulding” — a decorative strip used for ornamentation or finishing

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

not any; not one

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

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

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

and nothing more

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

above and across; more than

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

in the near future

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

take delight in

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

given to merry frolicking

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

unusual or striking

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

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

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

past form of “suffice” — be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

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

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

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

From this reading And then in correspondingly low relief, but with no less emphasis, the occupants of this singular ball-room began to dance.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

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

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

precisely as stated

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

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

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

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

From this reading Into the half light stole presently the sound of some lively instrument: a reel tune played, as it were, beneath one's breath, but with all the revel and rollicking emphasis of that intoxicating primitive music.

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

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

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

From this reading It was only just light enough to discern the five human forms in the dimness of the garret; the rays of the moon having to find their way through the deep window-embrasures of the keep.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The house stood obviously very high, for one could see from the windows for miles over a bleak country, coldly lit by the rays of the moon, which was almost at the full.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Less illumination would have sufficed to disclose the ancient character of the garret, with its low ceiling, and the graduated mouldings of the cornice, giving the effect of a shallow dome.