Chapter I

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

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

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

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

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

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

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

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

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

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

a structure or object that impedes free movement

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

a spot that is open late at night and that provides entertainment (as singers or dancers) as well as dancing and food and drink

From this reading More than that, 'tis the worst cabaret in France."

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading "It is late, du Plessis, and we have still three miles to go.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading More than that, 'tis the worst cabaret in France."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "It is late, du Plessis, and we have still three miles to go.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

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

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

cause to stop

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

someone who plays the harp

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

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

From this reading "It is late, du Plessis, and we have still three miles to go.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading "It is late, du Plessis, and we have still three miles to go.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading "It is late, du Plessis, and we have still three miles to go.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading More than that, 'tis the worst cabaret in France."

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

according to the clock

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

and nothing more

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

-ing form of “perceive” — to become aware of through the senses

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading "It is late, du Plessis, and we have still three miles to go.

plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

for a short time

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

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

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

not in physical motion

From this reading "It is late, du Plessis, and we have still three miles to go.

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

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading More than that, 'tis the worst cabaret in France."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

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

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

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

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading "It is late, du Plessis, and we have still three miles to go.

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading More than that, 'tis the worst cabaret in France."

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

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

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

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "It is late, du Plessis, and we have still three miles to go.

which person or people

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

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 only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

in the company of; together with

From this reading By six o'clock the gray of afternoon had deepened to the blackness of night, and a heavy rain began to fall, so that the Sèvres road, a mile beyond the Paris barrier, was shortly thick with mud.

the least favorable outcome

From this reading More than that, 'tis the worst cabaret in France."

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

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading The only light here visible came from the window of a wretched tavern at the way-side; and by this mine host, had he been watching, would have had some difficulty in perceiving the two riders who came to an uncertain halt by his door.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading _New York and London_ _Harper & Brothers Publishers_ _1901_ It was the evening of Tuesday, January 12th, in the year 1744.