Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

slightly open

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

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

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

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

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Victoria obeyed her gesture and went into the room beyond.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

plural of “bottle” — a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

plural of “brocade” — thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

a distinguishing emblem

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

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

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

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

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling

From this reading Victoria obeyed her gesture and went into the room beyond.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

coins made of gold

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

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

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

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

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

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

From this reading Victoria obeyed her gesture and went into the room beyond.

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

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

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

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

adorned by inlays

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Victoria obeyed her gesture and went into the room beyond.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

covered with beads or jewels or sequins

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

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

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

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

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

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 It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

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

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

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

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

past form of “obey” — be obedient to

From this reading Victoria obeyed her gesture and went into the room beyond.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

on one occasion

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

coated with paint

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

having patterns (especially colorful patterns)

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

plural of “peacock” — European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

a light shade of red

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

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

From this reading Victoria obeyed her gesture and went into the room beyond.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

protected from heat and light with shade or shadow

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

a plaster now made mostly from Portland cement and sand and lime; applied while soft to cover exterior walls or surfaces

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

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

From this reading Hsina flounced away across the court, and Fafann held open both the door and the curtains.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading On the opposite side opened doors of dark wood inlaid with mother-o'-pearl; and these stood ajar, revealing rows of shelves littered with little gilded bottles, or piled with beautiful brocades that were shot with gold in the pink light of an Arab lamp.

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

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)

From this reading Victoria obeyed her gesture and went into the room beyond.

acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

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

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Victoria obeyed her gesture and went into the room beyond.

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

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

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

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

a Caucasian

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The walls were partly covered with hangings like the curtains that shaded the glass door; but, on one side, between gold-embroidered crimson draperies, were windows, and in the white stucco above, showed lace-like openings, patterned to represent peacocks, the tails jewelled with glass of different colours.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading It was long and narrow, with a ceiling of carved wood painted in colours which had once been violent, but were now faded.