used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
alternatelyadverbUS /ˈɔːltərnətli/
in an alternating sequence or position
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
angularadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡjələr/
measured by an angle or by the rate of change of an angle
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
aperturenounUS /ˈæpərtʃər/
a device that controls amount of light admitted
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
completely unclothed
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
cleftnounUS /kleft/
a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
edificenounUS /ˈedəfəs/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
being one more than seven
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
flickeredverbUS /ˈflɪkərd/
past form of “flicker” — move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
a long fixed look
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
heathernounUS /ˈheðər/
common Old World heath represented by many varieties; low evergreen grown widely in the northern hemisphere
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
set afire or burning
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
a particular point in time
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
not in physical motion
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
octagonaladjectiveUS /ɑːkˈtæɡənəl/
of or relating to or shaped like an octagon
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
rivetedverbUS /ˈrɪvətɪd/
past form of “rivet” — direct one's attention on something
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
cut with a saw
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
sectionsnounUS /ˈsekʃənz/
plural of “section” — a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
silhouettedverbUS /ˌsɪləˈwetɪd/
past form of “silhouette” — project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
the state of being asleep
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
sprungverbUS /sprʌŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
make square
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
be standing; be upright
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
move an implement through
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
required or under orders
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
symbolnounUS /ˈsɪmbəl/
an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
tranquillyadverb
without emotional agitation
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading The door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
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 From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading From the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
a Caucasian
From this reading From John's position, the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible; and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square, lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white.
widelyadverbUS /ˈwaɪdli/
to a great degree
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
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 In the first moment of astonishment, John stood motionless, his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him.
