Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

(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 All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

the sterilization of an animal

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

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

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

a category falling within certain defined limits

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

terminate

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

English architect (1723-1796)

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading The nature of the danger that threatened I was wholly unable to surmise.

superlative of “deep” — relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading It was this side of the court which lay in deepest shadow.

a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

a wide scope

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

discontinued temporarily

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was this side of the court which lay in deepest shadow.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

a Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading The nature of the danger that threatened I was wholly unable to surmise.

the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

something you have to do

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

characteristic of former times especially in Europe

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

and nothing more

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

in other respects or ways

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

precisely, exactly

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading It was this side of the court which lay in deepest shadow.

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

From this reading It was this side of the court which lay in deepest shadow.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

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

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

not in physical motion

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

infer from incomplete evidence

From this reading The nature of the danger that threatened I was wholly unable to surmise.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

in or at that place or location

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

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

From this reading It was this side of the court which lay in deepest shadow.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading The nature of the danger that threatened I was wholly unable to surmise.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

as the end result of a succession or process

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading The nature of the danger that threatened I was wholly unable to surmise.

marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

precisely as stated

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

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 By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

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

From this reading It was this side of the court which lay in deepest shadow.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

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

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

which person or people

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The nature of the danger that threatened I was wholly unable to surmise.

belonging to which person

From this reading By altering my position quite slightly I could command a view of the arched entrance on the left with its pale lamp in an iron bracket above, and of the high blank wall whose otherwise unbroken expanse it interrupted.

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 LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

in the company of; together with

From this reading LAMA SORCERY From my post in the chair by the window I could see two sides of the court below; that immediately opposite, with the entrance to some chambers situated there, and that on the right, with the cloisteresque arches beyond which lay a maze of old-world passages and stairs whereby one who knew the tortuous navigation might come ultimately to the Embankment.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading All was very still; only on occasions the passing of a vehicle along Fleet Street would break the silence.