Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

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

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

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

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

plural of “attitude” — a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

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

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

come together as in a cluster or flock

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

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

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

recognizable; marked

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

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

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.

using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

the totality of surrounding conditions

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

easily broken or damaged or destroyed

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

made afraid

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.

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

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

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

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.

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

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

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

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

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

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

lacking in physical beauty or proportion

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

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

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

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

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

a high ranking police officer

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

provided with artificial light

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

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

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

overcome by a feeling of awe

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

coated with paint

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

-ing form of “risk” — expose to a chance of loss or damage

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

plural of “sconce” — a shelter or screen providing protection from enemy fire or from the weather

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

take hold of; grab

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

a long wooden bench with a back

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

being one more than fifteen

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

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

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

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

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

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

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading This glittering Louis Seize environment seemed altogether too much for the homely Inspector.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

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

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

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

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

unusual largeness in size or extent or number

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

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

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

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

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.

the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

at the time that

From this reading The empty hearth frightened him away from the mantelpiece, the fragile appearance of a gilt settee decided him against risking his sixteen stone weight on its silken cushions, and the vastness of the room overawed him when he took up his position in the centre of the Aubusson carpet.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Whilst waiting for Mary Trevert to come to him, he tried several attitudes in turn.

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

From this reading The cluster of lights in the heavy crystal chandelier and the green-shaded electric lamps in their gilt sconces on the plain white-panelled walls coldly lit up the formal, little-used room with its gilt furniture, painted piano, and huge marble fireplace.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE LETTER The great drawing-room of Harkings was ablaze with light.