Chapter XIX

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

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading That air of self-restraint and conscious reserve, which had never left him before, had entirely vanished.

(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 The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

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

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

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

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

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

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

having the limits or boundaries established

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

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

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

intentionally conceived

From this reading That air of self-restraint and conscious reserve, which had never left him before, had entirely vanished.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading He was a different man.

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading That air of self-restraint and conscious reserve, which had never left him before, had entirely vanished.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

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

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

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

From this reading He was a different man.

valuable tough heavy hardwood from various hickory trees

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

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

From this reading That air of self-restraint and conscious reserve, which had never left him before, had entirely vanished.

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

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

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

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading That air of self-restraint and conscious reserve, which had never left him before, had entirely vanished.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

provided with artificial light

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

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

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He was a different man.

comparative of “merry” — full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

characterized by or capable of producing music

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

impressive in appearance

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

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

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

above and across; more than

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

by chance

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

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

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

formality and propriety of manner

From this reading That air of self-restraint and conscious reserve, which had never left him before, had entirely vanished.

inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

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

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

exhibiting restraint imposed on the self

From this reading That air of self-restraint and conscious reserve, which had never left him before, had entirely vanished.

unusual or striking

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

the season of growth

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

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

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

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

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

a special situation

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

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

From this reading The pleasantest thing of all was to see the happy change that had come over the Don.

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

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

having passed out of existence

From this reading That air of self-restraint and conscious reserve, which had never left him before, had entirely vanished.

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

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading It was evident that, whatever his motives for concealing his musical talents, it was an immense relief to him to have abandoned the singular rôle he had been playing; and his long-imprisoned feelings had bounded up like a released spring.

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

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Never, perhaps, was there a merrier Christmas party than that which was now laughing and chattering as they seated themselves before that noble hickory fire which lit up the Hall with its ruddy glow.