Chapter VIII

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

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

in an alarming manner

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

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

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

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

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

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

From this reading How fresh and bright and green everything appeared!

aroused or activated

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

the act of waking

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

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

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading How fresh and bright and green everything appeared!

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

clothing in general

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

the first light of day

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

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

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading How fresh and bright and green everything appeared!

like or befitting a father or fatherhood; kind and protective

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

a bed with posts at the four corners that can be used to support a canopy or curtains

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading How fresh and bright and green everything appeared!

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

depressingly dark

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

possessive form of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading How fresh and bright and green everything appeared!

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

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

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

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

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

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

From this reading How fresh and bright and green everything appeared!

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

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

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

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

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

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

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

for more time

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

a particular point in time

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

an amount of time

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

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

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

with low volume

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

impressive in appearance

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

not in physical motion

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

a state of surviving; remaining alive

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

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

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

in or at that place or location

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

a metallic tapping sound

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

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

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

at the time that

From this reading I paused an instant to give the big grandfather’s clock a little friendly pat--it seemed so kind and fatherly ticking leisurely away there in the gloom, a sober survival of that stately period when time walked instead of ran.

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

From this reading I hurried into my clothes, and down the stairs to the lower hall, which seemed alarmingly grim and gloomy in the dim light.

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 The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The House Beautiful THE dawn, streaming in through the window, awakened me, and, incapable of lying still a moment longer, I climbed down softly from the four-poster, without awakening mother.

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

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.

past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of

From this reading I had a hard struggle with the big wrought-iron bolt of the front door, but finally it yielded, and I swung the door open and stepped out upon the porch.