Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

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

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

a cherished desire

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

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

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

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

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

in a state of sleep

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

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

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

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

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading It crept into a room below and touched the figure of a man seated by the table.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It crept into a room below and touched the figure of a man seated by the table.

plural of “byway” — a side road little traveled (as in the countryside)

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

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

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

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

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

relatively low in price or charging low prices

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading It crept into a room below and touched the figure of a man seated by the table.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

the first light of day

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading It crept into a room below and touched the figure of a man seated by the table.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

blowing in puffs or short intermittent blasts

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

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

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

not causing or capable of causing harm

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

plural of “hovel” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

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

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

immediately past

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

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

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

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

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

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

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

a strong sexual desire

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading It crept into a room below and touched the figure of a man seated by the table.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

the force of workers available

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

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

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

held or filled or in use

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

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

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

plural of “patriot” — one who loves and defends his or her country

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

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

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

unrestrained merrymaking

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

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

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

filled with satisfaction

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading It crept into a room below and touched the figure of a man seated by the table.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

plural of “sleeper” — a rester who is sleeping

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

the state of being asleep

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading It crept into a room below and touched the figure of a man seated by the table.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

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

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

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

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

having come into contact

From this reading It crept into a room below and touched the figure of a man seated by the table.

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

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

in or at the place that

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

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

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.

during the time that

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

a Caucasian

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

which person or people

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

fermented juice (of grapes especially)

From this reading It stole in to touch the faces of many sleepers, innocent sleepers, in hiding and in prison, who for a little while had forgotten their fear and peril; brutal sleepers who for a little space lay harmless, heavy with satisfied lust and wine.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE AMBITION OF RAYMOND LATOUR The dawn came slowly creeping over Paris, cold and with a whip of gusty rain in it.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It stole into a little room with cheap white curtains, and looked upon a woman who had thrown herself half dressed on the bed and had fallen asleep, tired out, exhausted.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It stole into empty rooms, rooms that should be occupied; into Legrand's house in the Rue Charonne where two beds had not been slept in; into hovels in narrow byways of the city to which men and women had not returned last night, but had spent the sleeping hours, as befitted such patriots, in revelry and songs and wine.