Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

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

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

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

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

processing that involves blowing a gas

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

the childhood of a boy

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

put or send forth

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

placed crosswise

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

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

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

highly enthusiastic

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

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

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

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

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

a rug spread out in front of a fireplace

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

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

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

in a slow and lazy manner

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

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

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

without good reason

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

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

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

engage in

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

-ing form of “nose” — search or inquire in a meddlesome way

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

above and across; more than

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

plural of “purr” — a low vibrating sound typical of a contented cat

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

a loud low dull continuous noise

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

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

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

protected from heat and light with shade or shadow

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

with low volume

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

past form of “stroke” — touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

in a suggestive manner

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

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

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Blowing out his candle, he seated himself at the table where a shaded lamp cast its glare upon a litter of books and papers.

the sensation caused by heat energy

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

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

From this reading He crossed his knees to make a better lap for the cat, and fell to musing backward into his own boyhood, when the Christmas Saint was a real presence.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

at the time that

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

in or at the place that

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

a Caucasian

From this reading AN OLD MAN FACES TWO WAYS His candle up, he went softly along the white hallway over the heavy red carpet, to where a door at the end, half-open, let him into his study.

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

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading Here a wood fire at the stage of glowing coals made a searching warmth.

past form of “yawn” — utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired

From this reading A big, white-breasted gray cat yawned and stretched itself from the hearthrug and leaped lightly upon him with great rumbling purrs, nosing its head under one of his hands suggestively, and, when he stroked it, looking up at him with lazily falling eye-lids.