Chapter V

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

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

(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 Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

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

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

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

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

past form of “bargain” — negotiate the terms of an exchange

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

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

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

one or the other of two

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

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

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

divisible by two

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading All the children felt quite sure that they were not at all sure whether they wanted the face to be the face of a real person, or whether they wished it to be the Invisible made visible by fern-seed.

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

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

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

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

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

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

of or relating to the ancient Latins or the Latin language

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

engage in

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

not any; not one

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

a message that seems to convey no meaning

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

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

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

and nothing more

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

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

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

a human being

From this reading All the children felt quite sure that they were not at all sure whether they wanted the face to be the face of a real person, or whether they wished it to be the Invisible made visible by fern-seed.

possessive form of “person” — a human being

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading All the children felt quite sure that they were not at all sure whether they wanted the face to be the face of a real person, or whether they wished it to be the Invisible made visible by fern-seed.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

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

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

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

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading All the children felt quite sure that they were not at all sure whether they wanted the face to be the face of a real person, or whether they wished it to be the Invisible made visible by fern-seed.

cut a female screw thread with a tap

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

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

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

a tavern keeper who taps kegs or casks

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

the sound of light blow or knock

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

(military) signal to turn the lights out

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

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

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

in or at that place or location

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

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

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

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

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

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

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

impossible to hear; imperceptible by the ear

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading If, on the other hand, the hand tapped and made, in tapping, the usual noise produced by a common tapper, then one of two things might be true.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading All the children felt quite sure that they were not at all sure whether they wanted the face to be the face of a real person, or whether they wished it to be the Invisible made visible by fern-seed.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading All the children felt quite sure that they were not at all sure whether they wanted the face to be the face of a real person, or whether they wished it to be the Invisible made visible by fern-seed.

past form of “warrant” — provide adequate grounds to justify (a certain course of action)

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

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

From this reading THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE Now, the fern-seed was only warranted to show the invisible, not to make the unhearable heard.

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

From this reading All the children felt quite sure that they were not at all sure whether they wanted the face to be the face of a real person, or whether they wished it to be the Invisible made visible by fern-seed.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

at the time that

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading All the children felt quite sure that they were not at all sure whether they wanted the face to be the face of a real person, or whether they wished it to be the Invisible made visible by fern-seed.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading All the children felt quite sure that they were not at all sure whether they wanted the face to be the face of a real person, or whether they wished it to be the Invisible made visible by fern-seed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Either the fern-seed was stronger than the Latin book bargained for, and was able to make people hear the unhearable even if they did not cover their ears with the charm that had covered their eyes, or else the fern-seed spell was all nonsense and the face outside the window was a real person’s face and the hand was a real person’s hand, and the tap that was coming on the window was a really-tap that would sound hard and rattly on the glass of the window, as taps sound when fingers of bone and flesh make them.

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

From this reading If there should be no sound when that raised hand tapped at the window, then the children would know that the fern-seed was doing what it was warranted to do by the Latin book.