Chapter XXXI

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

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

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

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

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

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

completely unclothed

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

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

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

next to; at the side of

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

plural of “chime” — a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

the protruding part of the lower jaw

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

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

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

representation of the cross on which Jesus died

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

material used to daub walls

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

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

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

limp and soiled as if dragged in the mud

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

divisible by two

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

past form of “flicker” — move back and forth very rapidly

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

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

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

past form of “glow” — emit a steady even light without flames

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

highly enthusiastic

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

the act of departing

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

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

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

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

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

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

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

for more time

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

not any; not one

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

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

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

and nothing more

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

make a painting

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

except for; apart from

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

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

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

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

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

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

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

plural of “sovereign” — a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

a momentary flash of light

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

act of expanding by lengthening or widening

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

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

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

in a tight or constricted manner

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

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

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

work hard

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

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

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

precisely as stated

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

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

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

in a weary manner

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

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

From this reading Twelve of the clock struck out slowly and wearily, as if the chimes were tired of their endless toil.

in or at the place that

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.

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

From this reading Norah sat on the bare floor, one leg stretching out, her hands clasped tightly round the knee of the other, which was almost drawn up to her chin.

a Caucasian

From this reading The fire died down and only one red spark could be seen glowing in the white ashes.

any piece of cord that conveys liquid by capillary action

From this reading DESPAIR I The light on the mantelpiece grew faint, flickered and was going out; the wick, short and draggled, no longer reached the oil.

people who are wounded

From this reading On the floor beside the door a pile of sovereigns, scattered broadcast, glowed bright even under the dying light; the figure on the black crucifix showed very white, save where the daub of red paint told of the Saviour’s wounded side.