Chapter IV

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

United States naturalist who contributed to paleontology and geology (1884-1960)

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

a fortress built in Paris in the 14th century and used as a prison in the 17th and 18th centuries; it was destroyed July 14, 1789 at the start of the French Revolution

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

the act of constructing something

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

an Italian poet famous for writing the Divine Comedy that describes a journey through Hell and purgatory and paradise guided by Virgil and his idealized Beatrice (1265-1321)

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

the extent downward or backward or inward

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

-ing form of “describe” — give a description of

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading THE GRAHAMS OF DUNDARGUE.

the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

plural of “graham” — United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)

From this reading THE GRAHAMS OF DUNDARGUE.

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

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

an opening into or through something

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

French poet and novelist and dramatist; leader of the romantic movement in France (1802-1885)

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

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 Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

not any; not one

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE GRAHAMS OF DUNDARGUE.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

a dungeon with the only entrance or exit being a trap door in the ceiling

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

a place of business for retailing goods

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

strip the skin off

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

past form of “precipitate” — bring about abruptly

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

inflected form of “sip” — drink in sips

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

impressive in appearance

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

not in physical motion

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading THE GRAHAMS OF DUNDARGUE.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

in or at that place or location

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

under normal conditions

From this reading These dungeon-funnels usually terminated in a deep hole like a tub, in which Dante has placed his Satan, and in which society placed the criminal condemned to death.

a combatant who is able to defeat rivals

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

at the time that

From this reading 'Dante,' says Victor Hugo, when describing that in the Bastille, 'could find nothing better for the construction of his hell.

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

which person or people

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

in the company of; together with

From this reading Shaped like a bottle, it was--and is--totally dark and of great depth, with no outlet but its narrow mouth, through which prisoners were precipitated and left to die.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

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

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading Who would have imagined that within a few yards of the elegant and stately modern drawing-room in which these three handsome women of the best style were chatting and sipping their tea, there still existed within the old walls of Dundargue a hideous oubliette or bottle dungeon, like those that were in the Castle of St. Andrews and ancient peel of Linlithgow--so named from the French word to 'forget.'