Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

anew

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

(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 Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

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

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

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

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

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

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

plural of “countess” — female equivalent of a count or earl

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

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

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

in a gradual manner

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

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

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

plural of “hail” — precipitation of ice pellets when there are strong rising air currents

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

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

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

a female domestic

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

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

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

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

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

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

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

full of life and energy

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

plural of “maid” — a female domestic

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

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

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

the property of making no noise

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

above and across; more than

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

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

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

a borough of New York City

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

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

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

destroyed physically or morally

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

rushing about hastily in an undignified way

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

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

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

creating thread

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

plural of “swallow” — a small amount of liquid food

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

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

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.

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

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

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

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

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

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

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

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

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

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

directly under, often hidden by what is above

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

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

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

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

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

the display of a motion picture

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

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

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

an assured victory (especially in an election)

From this reading Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a lively waltz sotto voce.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

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

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

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

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

which person or people

From this reading The footman seized Menlove, who appeared nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the room with her, to the time of the fascinating measure 'Which fashion hails, from countesses to queens, And maids and valets dance behind the scenes.'

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 Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture, through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Picotee, who had been accustomed to unceiled country cottages all her life, wherein the scamper of a mouse is heard distinctly from floor to floor, exclaimed in a terrified whisper, at viewing all this, 'They'll hear you underneath, they'll hear you, and we shall all be ruined!'

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at their heels.