Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

having companions or an escort

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

later than; following

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

Having no one else present.

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

exhibiting courtesy and politeness

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

the first light of day

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

plural of “expedition” — a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

a person of French nationality

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

-ing form of “litter” — strew

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading "Your pardon, Madame.

A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

people having common origins or traditions and often comprising a nation

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

accept an excuse for

From this reading "Your pardon, Madame.

having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

with speed

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

make a dry crackling sound

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

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

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

cut with a saw

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

the leader of an Arab village or family

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

a feeling of fear of embarrassment

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading But Saint Hubert had heard the rustle of the curtain, and he sprang to his feet with the courteous bow that proclaimed his nationality.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

confined on all sides

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

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

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

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

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Diana came into the living-room one morning about a week after the arrival of the Vicomte de Saint Hubert.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was the first time that they had chanced to be alone, and she hesitated with a sudden shyness.

the act of creating written works

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

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

From this reading She had expected to find the room empty, for the Sheik had risen at dawn and ridden away on one of the distant expeditions that had become so frequent, and she thought his friend had accompanied him, but as she parted the curtains between the two rooms she saw the Frenchman sitting at the little writing-table surrounded by papers and writing quickly, loose sheets of manuscript littering the floor around him.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Your pardon, Madame.