Chapter XII

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

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

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

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

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

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If he had been discovered he would have simply come to pay a call.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading If he had been discovered he would have simply come to pay a call.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading If he had been discovered he would have simply come to pay a call.

a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

(Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

-ing form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading If he had been discovered he would have simply come to pay a call.

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

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

the organ of sight

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

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

From this reading Here he paused for a few moments, standing quite still and listening intently.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

set up or found

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

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

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If he had been discovered he would have simply come to pay a call.

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

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

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

From this reading Here he paused for a few moments, standing quite still and listening intently.

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

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If he had been discovered he would have simply come to pay a call.

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

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

with strained or eager attention

From this reading Here he paused for a few moments, standing quite still and listening intently.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

the literary culture

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading Here he paused for a few moments, standing quite still and listening intently.

past form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

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

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading Here he paused for a few moments, standing quite still and listening intently.

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

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

a form of address for a man

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

absolutely essential

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

on one occasion

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

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

From this reading Here he paused for a few moments, standing quite still and listening intently.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading If he had been discovered he would have simply come to pay a call.

plural of “portal” — a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

a man who delivers the mail

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

plural of “pull” — the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

English organist at Westminster Abbey and composer of many theatrical pieces (1659-1695)

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

with low volume

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Here he paused for a few moments, standing quite still and listening intently.

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

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

cut with a saw

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

and nothing more

From this reading If he had been discovered he would have simply come to pay a call.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

having a supporting base

From this reading Here he paused for a few moments, standing quite still and listening intently.

not in physical motion

From this reading Here he paused for a few moments, standing quite still and listening intently.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

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

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

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

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

up to a particular time

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

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

From this reading Then he entered the now familiar portals and made his way quietly up the stairs until he reached Margaret’s outer door.

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

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

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

From this reading He had ascertained from the post office the times at which letters were delivered in the neighbourhood of Margaret’s flat; and now, in the gloom of a December evening, he lurked in the vicinity until he saw the postman approaching down the street and delivering letters at the other flats on his way.

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

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In Which Mr. Varney Once More Pulls the Strings For the second time, in connection with the death of Daniel Purcell, Mr. Varney found it necessary to give an attentive eye to the movements of the postman.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading If he had been discovered he would have simply come to pay a call.