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 Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

later than; following

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

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

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

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

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

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

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

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

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

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

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Evidently Isabel had gone to the door.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Evidently Isabel had gone to the door.

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

From this reading Evidently Isabel had gone to the door.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

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

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

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

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

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

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

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

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

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

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

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

From this reading Evidently Isabel had gone to the door.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

hear with intention

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

engage in

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

United States anthropologist who studied the Seneca (1818-1881)

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

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

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

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

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

in the direction of

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

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

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

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

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

at the time that

From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.

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

From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.