Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

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

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

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

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

confined by bonds

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

young of domestic cattle

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

made troubled or apprehensive or distressed in appearance

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

-ing form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

in or to another place

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

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

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

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

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

shaped or worked with a hammer and often showing hammer marks

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

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

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

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

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

past form of “house” — contain or cover

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

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

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

a room where books are kept

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

capable or worthy of being noticed

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

on one occasion

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

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

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

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

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

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

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

absentminded dreaming while awake

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

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

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

not agitated; without losing self-possession

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

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

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

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

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

not in physical motion

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

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

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The short November day was drawing in and though still early afternoon it was already growing dark.

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

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

two times

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

disregarded

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

under normal conditions

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

a heavy creamy-colored paper resembling parchment

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

precisely as stated

From this reading She sat very still, her usually serene face clouded, and once or twice a heavy sigh escaped her.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

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

From this reading Miss Craven was sitting alone in the library at the Towers.

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

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.

during the time that

From this reading She had been reading, but the book had failed to hold her attention and lay unheeded on her lap while she was plunged in a profound reverie.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The declining light was more noticeable in the library than elsewhere in the house--a sombre room once the morning sun had passed; long and narrow and panelled in oak to a height of about twelve feet, above which ran a gallery reached by a hammered iron stairway, it housed a collection of calf and vellum bound books which clothed the walls from the floor of the gallery to within a few feet of the lofty ceiling.