Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

later than; following

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

equally

From this reading They were in some respects too much alike.

(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 Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

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

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

-ing form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

possessive form of “carlyle” — Scottish historian who wrote about the French Revolution (1795-1881)

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

without offspring

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

past form of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

cause to be distrusted or disbelieved

From this reading The experiment was made, but, to the discredit of neither, it proved a failure.

spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

a sequence of powerful leaders in the same family

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

(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 DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation

From this reading The experiment was made, but, to the discredit of neither, it proved a failure.

plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

an act that fails

From this reading The experiment was made, but, to the discredit of neither, it proved a failure.

plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

yet to be or coming

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

feeling or showing gratitude

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

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

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

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

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

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

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

impossible to subdue

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

provided with artificial light

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

held dear

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The experiment was made, but, to the discredit of neither, it proved a failure.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading They were in some respects too much alike.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading The experiment was made, but, to the discredit of neither, it proved a failure.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

not any; not one

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

established beyond doubt

From this reading The experiment was made, but, to the discredit of neither, it proved a failure.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem

From this reading They were in some respects too much alike.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

-ing form of “sadden” — make unhappy

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading They were in some respects too much alike.

(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

carry out

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

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

From this reading They were in some respects too much alike.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading They were in some respects too much alike.

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

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading The experiment was made, but, to the discredit of neither, it proved a failure.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

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

From this reading They were in some respects too much alike.

at the time that

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

which person or people

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

a man whose wife is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading When the question arose as to his future life, it seemed a natural arrangement that he and his brother John, then a childless widower who had retired from his profession with a competence, should take up house together.

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Expressions of sympathy came to him from all directions, from the Queen herself downwards, and he received them with the grateful acknowledgment that he had, after all, been loved by his contemporaries.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading DECADENCE [1866-1881] After this shock of bereavement Carlyle's days went by "on broken wing," never brightening, slowly saddening to the close; but lit up at intervals by flashes of the indomitable energy that, starting from no vantage, had conquered a world of thought, and established in it, if not a new dynasty, at least an intellectual throne.