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 Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

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

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

the act of waking

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

past form of “bathe” — cleanse the entire body

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

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

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading In the house below nothing stirred.

a city in East Sussex in southern England that is a popular resort; site of the University of Sussex

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

plural of “buffer” — (chemistry) an ionic compound that resists changes in its pH

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

sharply and harshly discordant

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

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

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

the act of playing drums

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

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

From this reading In the house below nothing stirred.

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

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

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

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

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

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

the light of the Moon

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading In the house below nothing stirred.

occurring from time to time

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

-ing form of “shunt” — transfer to another track, of trains

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

a short stretch of railroad track used to store rolling stock or enable trains on the same line to pass

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

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

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

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

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading In the house below nothing stirred.

United States painter best known for his portraits of George Washington (1755-1828)

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

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

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

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

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

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

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

not known or well known

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

under normal conditions

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

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

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

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

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

in or at the place that

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

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

From this reading He lay for some time listening for any unfamiliar noise which might account for the sudden disturbance of his usually sound slumbers.

to a great degree

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

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 The moonlight shone in at his window, but did not touch the bed, therefore his awakening could not be due to this cause.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading His windows were widely open and he could detect that vague drumming which is characteristic of midnight London; sometimes, too, the clashing of buffers upon some siding of the Brighton railway where shunting was in progress and occasional siren notes from the Thames.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Keppel Stuart, M.D., F. R. S., awoke with a start and discovered himself to be bathed in cold perspiration.