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 Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

(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 Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

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

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

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

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

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

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

for the reason that

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

movement that causes the formation of a curve

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

lacking grace in movement or posture

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

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

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

comparative of “dark” — devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

a plant and works where alcoholic drinks are made by distillation

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

lasting for a markedly brief time

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

shining unsteadily

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

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

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

plural of “glimpse” — a quick look

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

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

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

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

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

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

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

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

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

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

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

and nothing more

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

of an obscure nature

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

not any; not one

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

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

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

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

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

above and across; more than

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

Identical; not different.

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

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

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

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

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

catch sight of

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

the sound of light blow or knock

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

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

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

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

From this reading It was much darker of aspect than their own house, and he knew that no people lived in it.

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

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

during the time that

From this reading In the fitful, smoke-enshrouded glow of that lamp he would catch fleeting glimpses of clumsy figures and spooklike faces bending over huge round objects, while at the same time, if the windows were open, he would hear much mysterious tapping and knocking.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Staring as he might into its dark windows, he could as a rule see nothing but the grimy panes, because in the back of it there was no courtyard at all--nothing but a solid wall without a single opening in it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading He called it the distillery, just as he heard his parents do, without knowing what the word meant.

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

From this reading Now and then however, he would spy the flickering light of an open-wick lamp move about on the floor level with their own.