Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

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

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

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

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

moving or going or growing upward

From this reading First he heard the slow clamp-clamp of ascending foot-steps.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

heard or perceptible by the ear

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

a flexible container with a single opening

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

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

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

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

From this reading First he heard the slow clamp-clamp of ascending foot-steps.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

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

From this reading Keith would stand in the kitchen door watching them.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading First he heard the slow clamp-clamp of ascending foot-steps.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

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

From this reading First he heard the slow clamp-clamp of ascending foot-steps.

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

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

From this reading First he heard the slow clamp-clamp of ascending foot-steps.

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

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading First he heard the slow clamp-clamp of ascending foot-steps.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

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

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

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

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

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

From this reading Keith would stand in the kitchen door watching them.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

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

From this reading Keith would stand in the kitchen door watching them.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading Keith would stand in the kitchen door watching them.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

weight to be borne or conveyed

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

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 Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

the force of workers available

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

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

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

very recently

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

plural of “sack” — a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading First he heard the slow clamp-clamp of ascending foot-steps.

past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

be standing; be upright

From this reading Keith would stand in the kitchen door watching them.

a mixture of seasoned ingredients used to stuff meats and vegetables

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

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

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Keith would stand in the kitchen door watching them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

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

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

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

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

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

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

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

From this reading Then the man's heavy breathing became audible, and Keith felt as if the load was resting on his own shoulders.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Keith would stand in the kitchen door watching them.

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

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

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

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Two more men piled the pieces into huge sacks and staggered with those on their backs up the five flights of stairs to the top garret under the peak of the house, which belonged to the Wellanders.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading Finally the open top of the bag, with its bright stuffing of newly cut birch wood, showed at the corner of the landing quite a long time before the head beneath it came into sight.

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

From this reading Keith would stand in the kitchen door watching them.