Chapter VII

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

pertaining to or characteristic of apoplexy

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

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

From this reading There were no windows to be seen.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

plural of “candlestick” — a holder with sockets for candles

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading Tall, wine-colored velvets fell in monotonous parallels from the ceiling to the floor.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

a natural or artificial enclosed space

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

be incompatible; be or come into conflict

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

the state of containing nothing

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

third-person singular of “explode” — cause to burst with a violent release of energy

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

opinion or judgment

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Tall, wine-colored velvets fell in monotonous parallels from the ceiling to the floor.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

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

From this reading Tall, wine-colored velvets fell in monotonous parallels from the ceiling to the floor.

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Tall, wine-colored velvets fell in monotonous parallels from the ceiling to the floor.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

not accessible to view

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

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

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

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 Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

aristocratic Italian family of powerful merchants and bankers who ruled Florence in the 15th century

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

From this reading Tall, wine-colored velvets fell in monotonous parallels from the ceiling to the floor.

not any; not one

From this reading There were no windows to be seen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

plural of “parallel” — something having the property of being analogous to something else

From this reading Tall, wine-colored velvets fell in monotonous parallels from the ceiling to the floor.

a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

plural of “pyramid” — a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading There were no windows to be seen.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

past form of “stamp” — walk heavily

From this reading A somber and luxurious emptiness like the inside of a jewel box stamped the curious chamber.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Four black candlesticks ending in little pyramids of flame stood on the long table in the center.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Tall, wine-colored velvets fell in monotonous parallels from the ceiling to the floor.

electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were no windows to be seen.

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

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

From this reading Tall, wine-colored velvets fell in monotonous parallels from the ceiling to the floor.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

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

From this reading There were no windows to be seen.

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

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading There were no windows to be seen.

a red as dark as red wine

From this reading Tall, wine-colored velvets fell in monotonous parallels from the ceiling to the floor.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading THE HAUNTED ROOM In which an apoplectic scientist explodes—In which invisible footsteps sound in a dark corridor—In which Julien De Medici opens a letter—The woman of the hidden eyes—Floria, the lady of the dagger, appears—In which underworlds collide—The staircase to Hell and a strange passion—A voice that spoke over the telephone.