used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
aromaticadjectiveUS /ˌerəˈmætɪk/
(chemistry) of or relating to or containing one or more benzene rings
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
Batley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
next to; at the side of
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
bookcasesnounUS /ˈbʊkkeɪsɪz/
plural of “bookcase” — a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
cleanly-molded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
conveyingnounUS /kənˈveɪɪŋ/
act of transferring property title from one person to another
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
diffusedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfjuːzd/
(of light rays) subjected to scattering by reflection from a rough surface or transmission through a translucent material
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
dimmernounUS /ˈdɪmər/
a rheostat that varies the current through an electric light in order to control the level of illumination
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
one or the other of two
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
finely-lined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
start firing a weapon
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
flickeredverbUS /ˈflɪkərd/
past form of “flicker” — move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
FUTILEadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
Gladwyne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
harmonynounUS /ˈhɑːrməni/
compatibility in opinion and action
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
Heavily-corniced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
high-ceilingedadjective
having a higher than normal ceiling
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
and nothing more
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
a room where books are kept
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
lounged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
PROTESTnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
recededverbUS /rəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
statelinessnoun
an elaborate manner of doing something
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Something in his finely-lined figure and cleanly-molded face stamped him as one at home in such a place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Heavily-corniced bookcases rose above it on either band, conveying an idea of space and distance by the way they grew dimmer as they receded from the light.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A FUTILE PROTEST It was late at night, but Gladwyne sat, cigar in hand, in his library, while Batley lounged beside the hearth.
a Caucasian
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The room had an air of stateliness in its severe simplicity, and its owner, sitting just inside the ring of brightness, clad in conventional black and white, looked in harmony with it.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading A wood fire diffused a faint aromatic fragrance into the great high-ceilinged room, and the light of a single silver lamp flickered on the polished floor, which ran back like a sheet of black ice into the shadow.
