Chapter XX · Elsie in the Attic

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

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, now everywhere at once.

plural of “ache” — a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

a mixture of nectar and pollen prepared by worker bees and fed to larvae

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

large room used mainly for dancing

From this reading _—Browning._ When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was still at its height.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

have

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

United States inventor of firearms (especially automatic pistols and repeating rifles and a machine gun called the Peacemaker) (1855-1926)

From this reading _—Browning._ When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was still at its height.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading Six cotillions were on the floor.

the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

having an (artificial) crown on a tooth

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

one or the other of two

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

to or in any or all places

From this reading Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, now everywhere at once.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

past form of “feast” — partake in a feast or banquet

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading Six cotillions were on the floor.

moving swiftly

From this reading Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, now everywhere at once.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

the withdrawal of heat to change something from a liquid to a solid

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

having the color of gold

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

involving or characterized by harmony

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading _—Browning._ When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was still at its height.

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

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, now everywhere at once.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading _—Browning._ When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was still at its height.

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

From this reading Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, now everywhere at once.

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, now everywhere at once.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

possessive form of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, now everywhere at once.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Six cotillions were on the floor.

on one occasion

From this reading Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, now everywhere at once.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

past form of “re-enter” — enter again

From this reading _—Browning._ When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was still at its height.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

unrestrained merrymaking

From this reading _—Browning._ When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was still at its height.

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

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

plural of “satellite” — man-made equipment that orbits around the earth or the moon

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Six cotillions were on the floor.

not in physical motion

From this reading _—Browning._ When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was still at its height.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

express in words

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Judge Jacky was flying about, now here and now there, now everywhere at once.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading _—Browning._ When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was still at its height.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

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

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

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

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

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

From this reading _—Browning._ When they re-entered the ballroom the revelry was still at its height.

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

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

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

From this reading Six cotillions were on the floor.

at the time that

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

in the company of; together with

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.

United States poet (1885-1928)

From this reading Ambrosia Wylie, in a gold-colored satin, that harmonized well with her warm-hued tone of beauty, sat in the bay window, the sunny center of a system of satellites.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading To-night, when my head aches indeed, And I can either think nor read, And these blue fingers will not hold The pen—(this attic’s freezing cold)— I tell you, I pace up and down This garret, crowned with love’s best crown, And feasted with love’s perfect feast, To think I bear for him at least.