Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The streets were almost deserted.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

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

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

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

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

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

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

the act of burning something

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

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

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

English novelist (born in Poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)

From this reading CONRAD UNDER THE WINDOW-SEAT.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

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

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading The streets were almost deserted.

in a dim indistinct manner

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

to double the degree

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

inflected form of “fan” — strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

start firing a weapon

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

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

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

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

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

obtain

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

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

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

characterized by enmity or ill will

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

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

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

conformity or harmony

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

set afire or burning

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

horrible in fierceness or savagery

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

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

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

and nothing more

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

give an incentive for action

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

with speed

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

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

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

the act of taking something from someone unlawfully

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The streets were almost deserted.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

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

From this reading CONRAD UNDER THE WINDOW-SEAT.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

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

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading CONRAD UNDER THE WINDOW-SEAT.

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

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

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

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

the process of paying close and continuous attention

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

a pedestrian who walks from place to place

From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.

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

From this reading The streets were almost deserted.

belonging to which person

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.

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

From this reading CONRAD UNDER THE WINDOW-SEAT.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.

but in spite of that

From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.