Chapter XII

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

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

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

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

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He reached the landing, he stood before his own door, he was safe.

a youthful male person

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

in a blunt direct manner

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

placed crosswise

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

in a dim indistinct manner

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

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

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

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

From this reading He reached the landing, he stood before his own door, he was safe.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

the finger next to the thumb

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

the act of departing

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

destroyed or killed

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

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

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

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

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

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

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

a joint of a finger when the fist is closed

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading He reached the landing, he stood before his own door, he was safe.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

without good reason

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

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

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

and nothing more

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

above and across; more than

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He reached the landing, he stood before his own door, he was safe.

United States feminist (1885-1977)

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He reached the landing, he stood before his own door, he was safe.

To recall to mind.

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading He reached the landing, he stood before his own door, he was safe.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He reached the landing, he stood before his own door, he was safe.

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

express in words

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

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

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

on a floor above

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

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

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

at the time that

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

in or at the place that

From this reading Paul had gone home too, and was feeling his way upstairs in the dark: he dimly remembered going up some stairs in the dark like this when he was a boy, but he could not remember where it had been.

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

From this reading Now, as then, he had the feeling that there was some danger near him which he could only escape by strict attention to what he was doing.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading But he hesitated an instant before opening it, then crossed over and tapped lightly with the knuckle of his forefinger at his mother's door and entered without waiting for a reply.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It is I," he said brusquely; "don't light the candle, I have something to tell you."