Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

(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 He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

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

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

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

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

any thing at all

From this reading But Gerald was not reading nor writing nor doing anything.

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

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

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

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

in a blank and uncomprehending manner

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Gerald was not reading nor writing nor doing anything.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

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

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

fill with distaste

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading But Gerald was not reading nor writing nor doing anything.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

divisible by two

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

set up or found

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

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

From this reading But Gerald was not reading nor writing nor doing anything.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

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

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

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

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

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

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

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

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

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

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

a room where books are kept

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

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

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

in a relaxed manner; not rigid

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading But Gerald was not reading nor writing nor doing anything.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But Gerald was not reading nor writing nor doing anything.

held or filled or in use

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

above and across; more than

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading But Gerald was not reading nor writing nor doing anything.

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

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

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

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

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

not agitated; without losing self-possession

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

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

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

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

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

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

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

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

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

precisely as stated

From this reading The Curate of St Roque's found his brother in his library, looking very much as he always looked at first glance.

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

From this reading He jumped up at the sound of his brother's voice, but seemed to recall himself with a little difficulty even for that, and did not look much surprised to see him.

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

From this reading But Gerald was not reading nor writing nor doing anything.

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

From this reading Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

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 Some manuscript--lying loosely about, and looking as if he had thrown down his pen in disgust, and pushed it away from him in the middle of a sentence--was on the table, and an open book in his other hand; but neither the book nor the manuscript occupied him; he was sitting leaning his head in his hands, gazing blankly out through the window, as it appeared, at the cedar, which flung its serene shadow over the lawn outside.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was seated in his usual chair, by his usual table, with all the ordinary things around.

the act of creating written works

From this reading But Gerald was not reading nor writing nor doing anything.