Chapter XVII · Through the House

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

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

anew

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

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

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

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

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading When Mildred Tarnley returned, the changed appearance of her guest struck her.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

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

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

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

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading “Be ye sick, ma’am?” she asked, standing, candle in hand, by the chair.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

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

From this reading “Be ye sick, ma’am?” she asked, standing, candle in hand, by the chair.

a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “Be ye sick, ma’am?” she asked, standing, candle in hand, by the chair.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading “Be ye sick, ma’am?” she asked, standing, candle in hand, by the chair.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading When Mildred Tarnley returned, the changed appearance of her guest struck her.

lacking grace in movement or posture

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

past form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

causing or capable of causing death

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

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

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

formed or conceived by the imagination

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

made afraid

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

past form of “grope” — feel about uncertainly or blindly

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading When Mildred Tarnley returned, the changed appearance of her guest struck her.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading “Be ye sick, ma’am?” she asked, standing, candle in hand, by the chair.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

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

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

a woman of refinement

From this reading “Be ye sick, ma’am?” she asked, standing, candle in hand, by the chair.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

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

From this reading When Mildred Tarnley returned, the changed appearance of her guest struck her.

not any; not one

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

out of fashion

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

by chance

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading When Mildred Tarnley returned, the changed appearance of her guest struck her.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading “Be ye sick, ma’am?” she asked, standing, candle in hand, by the chair.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

a painful and involuntary muscular contraction

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

having a supporting base

From this reading “Be ye sick, ma’am?” she asked, standing, candle in hand, by the chair.

move an implement through

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading When Mildred Tarnley returned, the changed appearance of her guest struck her.

past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

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

From this reading When Mildred Tarnley returned, the changed appearance of her guest struck her.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

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

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

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

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

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

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

without color

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

in a vertical position; not sloping

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

someone who visits

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

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

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading This stalwart lady stumbled and groped her way back to her chair, and sat down again in the kitchen.

at the time that

From this reading When Mildred Tarnley returned, the changed appearance of her guest struck her.

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

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

which person or people

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The visitor was sitting bolt upright, with a large hand clutched on each arm of the chair, with a face deadly pale and distorted by a frown or a spasm that frightened old Mildred, who fancied, as she made no sign, not the slightest stir, that she was in a fit, or possibly dead.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading The chair in which she sat was an old-fashioned arm-chair of plain wood, uncoloured and clumsy.

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading “Be ye sick, ma’am?” she asked, standing, candle in hand, by the chair.