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 It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading "Arnold," she whispered, and her voice was none too steady, "I hate that woman.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

in a courageous manner

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

the act of breaking something

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking

From this reading I lit a cigarette, and suddenly I felt a cold little hand steal into mine.

without doubt or question

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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 I lit a cigarette, and suddenly I felt a cold little hand steal into mine.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

in a dim indistinct manner

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading I lit a cigarette, and suddenly I felt a cold little hand steal into mine.

with resolute determination

From this reading I set my teeth and held it firmly.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

a quick look

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading I lit a cigarette, and suddenly I felt a cold little hand steal into mine.

a two-wheeled horse-drawn covered carriage with the driver's seat above and behind the passengers

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action

From this reading "Arnold," she whispered, and her voice was none too steady, "I hate that woman.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading I set my teeth and held it firmly.

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

From this reading "Arnold," she whispered, and her voice was none too steady, "I hate that woman.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I lit a cigarette, and suddenly I felt a cold little hand steal into mine.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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 It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

provided with artificial light

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

plural of “luxury” — something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I lit a cigarette, and suddenly I felt a cold little hand steal into mine.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I set my teeth and held it firmly.

not one, and not any

From this reading "Arnold," she whispered, and her voice was none too steady, "I hate that woman.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

many times at short intervals

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading I set my teeth and held it firmly.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

make steady

From this reading "Arnold," she whispered, and her voice was none too steady, "I hate that woman.

take without the owner's consent

From this reading I lit a cigarette, and suddenly I felt a cold little hand steal into mine.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading I lit a cigarette, and suddenly I felt a cold little hand steal into mine.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading I set my teeth and held it firmly.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "Arnold," she whispered, and her voice was none too steady, "I hate that woman.

hard to endure

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

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

From this reading "Arnold," she whispered, and her voice was none too steady, "I hate that woman.

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

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading "Arnold," she whispered, and her voice was none too steady, "I hate that woman.

a Caucasian

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading It was not often we permitted ourselves such luxuries, but as we left the theatre I caught a glimpse of Isobel's white face, more clearly visible now than in the dimly lit box, and I knew that, bravely though she had carried herself through the whole of that trying evening, she was not far from breaking down.

in the company of; together with

From this reading So I called a hansom, and she sank back in a corner with a little sigh of relief.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading "Arnold," she whispered, and her voice was none too steady, "I hate that woman.