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 Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

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

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

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

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration

From this reading They eyed the Emperor, passing and repassing, in gloomy silence mixed with awe.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

the act of burning something

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

coldness due to a cold environment

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

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

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

plural of “dispatch” — an official report (usually sent in haste)

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

the male ruler of an empire

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified; often used in combination

From this reading They eyed the Emperor, passing and repassing, in gloomy silence mixed with awe.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

start firing a weapon

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

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

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

brought together in one place

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

depressingly dark

From this reading They eyed the Emperor, passing and repassing, in gloomy silence mixed with awe.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

arranged into groups

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

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

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

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

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

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

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

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

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading They eyed the Emperor, passing and repassing, in gloomy silence mixed with awe.

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

in an anxiously nervous manner

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

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

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading They eyed the Emperor, passing and repassing, in gloomy silence mixed with awe.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

(used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

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

From this reading They eyed the Emperor, passing and repassing, in gloomy silence mixed with awe.

plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

possessing material wealth

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

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

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

plural of “secretary” — a person who is head of an administrative department of government

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading They eyed the Emperor, passing and repassing, in gloomy silence mixed with awe.

(of a fluid) having been propelled about in flying drops or masses

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

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

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

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

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

soiled from travel

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

plural of “uniform” — clothing of distinctive design worn by members of a particular group as a means of identification

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

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

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading The Emperor walked nervously up and down the long, low-ceiled apartment, the common room of the public inn at Nogent.

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

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

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

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading Their cloaks and hats were wet, their boots and trousers splashed with mud, and in general they were travel-stained and weary.

belonging to which person

From this reading At one end stood a group of officers of high rank in rich uniforms whose brilliance was shrouded by heavy cloaks falling from their shoulders and gathered about them, for the air was raw and chill, despite a great fire burning in a huge open fireplace.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Grouped around a long table in the center of the room several secretaries were busy with orders, reports and dispatches.