Chapter VIII · _The Cut Panel_

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

-ing form of “accentuate” — to stress, single out as important

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

a feeling of delight at being entertained

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

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

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

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

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

on or to one side

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

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

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

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

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

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

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

plural of “chandelier” — branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

the state of containing nothing

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

the act of departing

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

in an impressively beautiful manner

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

a tool used by an engraver

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

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

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

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

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

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

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

the quality of disagreeing; being unsuitable and inappropriate

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

an airplane powered by one or more jet engines

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

set down according to a plan

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

having abundant light or illumination

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

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

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

the state of being alone in solitary isolation

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

one who suffers for the sake of principle

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

(economics) a market in which there are many buyers but only one seller

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

and nothing more

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

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

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

a fine point of etiquette or petty formality

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

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

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

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

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

plural of “sconce” — a shelter or screen providing protection from enemy fire or from the weather

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

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

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

the underside of footwear or a golf club

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

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

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

carry out

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading But as she realized that her monopoly of the white drawing-room was only a detail in the much larger incongruity of her monopoly of the Piccadilly mansion, her face took a graver look.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

past form of “upholster” — provide furniture with padding, springs, webbing, and covers

From this reading Sybil laid aside her book, and surveyed the splendid emptiness of the room with a smile of amusement for her monopoly of so much gorgeously upholstered space.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

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

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

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 The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.

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

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

a Caucasian

From this reading In the famous white drawing-room at Beaumanoir House Sybil Hanbury was preparing to end a solitary evening by the simple process of going to bed.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "I trust that the Vincents will be ready to take me in next week," she mused with a touch of impatience.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The butler, a martyr to punctilio, had insisted on lighting every jet in the chandeliers and in the sconces on the walls, with the result that the vast apartment scintillated like a ball-room, accentuating the loneliness of the black-clad little figure of its sole occupant.