Chapter XXIX

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

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

later than; following

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

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

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

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

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

inflected form of “bleed” — lose blood from one's body

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

the act of breaking something

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

go after with the intent to catch

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

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

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

possessive form of “czar” — a male monarch or emperor (especially of Russia prior to 1917)

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

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

From this reading Drexel had still urgent need of his wits.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

an old word for “before”

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

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

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

a fortified defensive structure

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

cut open

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

possessive form of “governor” — the head of a state government

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

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

From this reading Drexel had still urgent need of his wits.

a half of an hour

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

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

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

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

From this reading Drexel had still urgent need of his wits.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

possessive form of “hour” — a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

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

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

immediately past

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

plural of “necktie” — neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Drexel had still urgent need of his wits.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

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

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

go across or through

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

in an abundant manner

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

go at a rack

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

located in or toward the back or rear

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

become less tense, rest, or take one's ease

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

plural of “spy” — (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

be standing; be upright

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

not in physical motion

From this reading Drexel had still urgent need of his wits.

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

above or beyond the human or demanding more than human power or endurance

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

apprehension about what is going to happen

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

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

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

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

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

compelling immediate action

From this reading Drexel had still urgent need of his wits.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

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

From this reading Moreover, the gash from the governor’s knife, mere flesh-wound though it was, had bled profusely in the office, and now in the sleigh he could feel the warm blood creeping down his back and chest.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading By the hour’s end they must all be safe in hiding, or stand in danger of wearing the Czar’s neckties.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.

inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading But as the grim shape of the Fortress withdrew into the rearward gloom, the breaking strain of the last half-hour began to relax, and he began to feel the reaction of the two nights he had not slept, and of the two nights and a day that he had been stretched upon the rack of an almost superhuman suspense.

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading Drexel had still urgent need of his wits.

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

From this reading THE DAY AFTER An hour would likely pass--with God’s grace more--ere the tenants of that dark room would be discovered and St. Petersburg’s ten thousand police and spies be unloosed upon the chase.