Chapter XXXIII · Chapter 33

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

in the past

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

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

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

(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 Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

serving as an essential component

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

plural of “facing” — a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

gases ejected from an engine as waste products

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

on the floor closest to level with the ground

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

of the present time and place

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

property consisting of houses and land

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

immediately past

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

a protective covering that protects an inside surface

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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 Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

weighing heavily on the senses or spirit

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

in a persistent manner

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

plural of “rampart” — an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

past form of “reign” — have sovereign power

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

get rid of

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

in the near future

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

obtained from suet and used in making soap, candles and lubricants

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

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

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The air was heavy with the fumes of the two tallow candles on the table, which smoked persistently.

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

From this reading Against the walls a row of figures in dark blue uniforms with scarlet facings, drab breeches and heavy riding boots, silent and immovable, with fixed bayonets like so many automatons lining the room all round; at some little distance from the central table and out of the immediate circle of light, a small group composed of five soldiers in the same blue and scarlet uniforms.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

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 Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

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

From this reading And now at last the shades of evening were drawing in thick and fast.

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

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

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 In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the large ground-floor room with its window opened upon the wide promenade of the southern ramparts, a silence reigned which was oppressive.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Within the walls of Fort Gayole the last rays of the setting sun had long ago ceased to shed their dying radiance, and through the thick stone embrasures and the dusty panes of glass, the grey light of dusk soon failed to penetrate.