Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

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

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

the power or right to give orders or make decisions

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

plural of “chrysanthemum” — the flower of a chrysanthemum plant

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

plural of “collector” — a person who collects things

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

love of or taste for fine objects of art

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

greatly desired

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

the decade from 1880 to 1889

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

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

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

having or resembling a finger or fingers; often used in combination

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

prolific English dramatist who collaborated with Francis Beaumont and many other dramatists (1579-1625)

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

representing or accommodating the entire length

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

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

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

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

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

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

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

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

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

cause to come to know personally

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

someone who enters by force in order to conquer

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

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

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

and nothing more

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

being of the same size as an original

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

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

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

not any; not one

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

above and across; more than

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

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

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

in the near future

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

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

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

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

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

protected from heat and light with shade or shadow

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

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

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

carry out

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading Every detail spoke of the connoisseurship, the refined and personal taste characteristic of Oxford in the eighties.

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

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

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

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

a special situation

From this reading "There's no doubt it's a good thing, Fletcher," he said, presently--"really quite good.

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

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

very small

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

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

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

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

From this reading The authority on art put up his eye-glasses and fingered his tiny forked beard uneasily.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

a resident of Venice

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

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 Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

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

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

at the time that

From this reading Dinner was over and the ladies had just risen, when the Professor had begged to introduce them to the new-comer on his walls.

in or at the place that

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.

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

From this reading The Invader, it might almost have been called, this full-length, life-size portrait, which, in the illumination of a lamp turned full upon it, seemed to take possession of the small room, to dominate at the end of the polished-oak table, where the light of shaded candles fell on old blue plates, old Venetian glass, a bit of old Italian brocade, and chrysanthemums in a china bowl coveted by collectors.