Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

(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 ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

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

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

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

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

quick to understand

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

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

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

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

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

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

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

closed to traffic

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

rid of obstructions

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

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

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

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

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

plural of “flake” — a crystal of snow

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

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

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

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

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

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

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

someone who hunts game

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

a form of address for a man

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

not one, and not any

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

and nothing more

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

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

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

plural of “portal” — a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

on the contrary

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

plural of “ration” — the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

cut with a saw

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

not in physical motion

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

-ing form of “swirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

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

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

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

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

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

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

of the highest quality

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

the topmost one of two

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading Not an outer door of the house but was blocked by a drift, and it was useless to open the portals at present, as the snow fell into the room.

past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

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

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

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

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading ON SHORT RATIONS Apprehensive as all had been of the coming of the big storm, and fully warned by the hunter, none of the picture players was quite prepared for what they saw--or, rather, for what they could not see.

at the time that

From this reading "But what are we to do?" asked Mr. Pertell, when the situation had been made plain to him.

the act of rotating in a circle or spiral

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

a Caucasian

From this reading And through those bits of glass all that could be seen was a whirling, swirling mass, for the white flakes were still falling.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading For not a window on the lower floor of the Lodge but was blocked by a bank of snow, so that only the tops of the upper panes were clear of it.