Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

(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 When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

Having no one else present.

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

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

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

for a short time

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

noisy like the sound of a bee

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

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

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

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

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

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

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

having momentous consequences; of decisive importance

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

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

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

loud confused noise from many sources

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

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

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

incapable of physical sensation

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

in a slow and lazy manner

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

hear with intention

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

someone indifferent to the busy world

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

plural of “misgiving” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

of or relating to or designating narcotics

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

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

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

not any; not one

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

lacking sensation

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

and nothing more

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

inflected form of “petrify” — cause to become stonelike or stiff or dazed and stunned from fright

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

having a hole cut through

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

lacking power

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

move hurridly

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

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

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

causing physical or especially psychological injury

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

not in physical motion

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

lacking natural ease

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

a moving crowd

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

used as intensifiers

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

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

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

in or at that place or location

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

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

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

a heavy rain

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

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

From this reading For a second or two she lay as if petrified, every limb struck powerless, every nerve strained to listen.

a state lacking normal awareness of the self or environment

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE FORBIDDEN PARADISE Looking back later upon that fateful night, it seemed to Stella that she must indeed have slept the sleep of the lotus-eater, for no misgivings pierced the numb unconsciousness that held her through the still hours.

under normal conditions

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

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

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

at the time that

From this reading When she awoke at length broad daylight was all about her, and above the roar of the stream there was rising a hubbub of voices like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

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

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

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

From this reading She lay as one in a trance, wholly insensible of the fact that she was alone, aware only of the perpetual rush and fall of the torrent below, which seemed to act like a narcotic upon her brain.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.

showing curiosity

From this reading She lay for awhile listening to it, lazily wondering why the coolies should bring their breakfast so much nearer to the tent than usually, and then, suddenly and terribly, there came a cry that seemed to transfix her, stabbing her heavy senses to full consciousness.