Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

later than; following

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

(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 When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

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

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

plural of “appointment” — the act of putting a person into a non-elective position

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

completely unclothed

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

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

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

plural of “chink” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

a covering designed to be worn on a person's body

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

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

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

past form of “dangle” — hang freely

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

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

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

opinion or judgment

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

planned and made or fashioned artistically

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

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

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

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

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

plural of “garment” — an article of clothing

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

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

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

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

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

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

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

past form of “lash” — beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

in the recent past

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

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

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

above and across; more than

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

extremely crowed or filled to capacity

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

any material used especially to protect something

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

unpleasantly

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

plural of “peg” — a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

to become aware of through the senses

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

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

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

past form of “reveal” — make visible

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

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

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

plural of “sapling” — young tree

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

remove from the shell

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

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

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

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

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

informal terms for clothing

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

a metallic tapping sound

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

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

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

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

From this reading PICKING UP THE THREADS I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

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 When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

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 It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

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

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

at the time that

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

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

From this reading When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, but now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of the single-room cabin was revealed.

during the time that

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was humble enough in all its appointments, the walls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw.

in a curious and questioning manner

From this reading I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading The floor was of hard, dry clay; a few live coals remained, smoking in the open fireplace, while a number of garments, among them to be recognized my own clothing, dangled from wooden pegs driven into the chinks of the farther wall.