Chapter IX · Caught in the Act

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

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

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

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

later than; following

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

(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 Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading There was only one drawback to this; she must enter always as Pierre and never as Petite Jeanne.

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

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

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

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

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

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

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

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

the act of breaking something

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

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

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

the quality of being a hindrance

From this reading There was only one drawback to this; she must enter always as Pierre and never as Petite Jeanne.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

(of sounds) repeating by reflection

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

a feeling of great liking for something wonderful and unusual

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

to come or go into

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

divisible by two

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

at any time

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

past form of “exercise” — put to use

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

the state of being friends (or friendly)

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

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

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

something acquired without compensation

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

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

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

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

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

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

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

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

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

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

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

all of the living human inhabitants of the earth

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

plural of “model” — a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading There was only one drawback to this; she must enter always as Pierre and never as Petite Jeanne.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading There was only one drawback to this; she must enter always as Pierre and never as Petite Jeanne.

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

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

not one, and not any

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was only one drawback to this; she must enter always as Pierre and never as Petite Jeanne.

and nothing more

From this reading There was only one drawback to this; she must enter always as Pierre and never as Petite Jeanne.

a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

very small

From this reading There was only one drawback to this; she must enter always as Pierre and never as Petite Jeanne.

capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading There was only one drawback to this; she must enter always as Pierre and never as Petite Jeanne.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

past form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

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

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

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

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

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

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

temporarily incapable of speaking

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

not in physical motion

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

the rays of the sun

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

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

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

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

From this reading There was only one drawback to this; she must enter always as Pierre and never as Petite Jeanne.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

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

From this reading And on that new day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a storm, there came to Jeanne an hour of speechless joy.

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

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

a guard who keeps watch

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

at the time that

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

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

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.

a Caucasian

From this reading Even now, when the seats were clothed like ghosts in white sheets, when the aisles, so often adorned with living models all a-glitter with silks and jewels, and echoing with the sound of applause and laughter, were dark and still, the great hall lost none of its charm.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Having exercised as ever her gift of friendship to all mankind, she was able, through her acquaintance with the watchman, to enter the opera house when she chose.

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

From this reading Knowing that some sort of rehearsal would be in progress, she garbed herself in her Pierre costume and repaired to the place which to her, of all places on earth, seemed the home of pure enchantment--the opera.