Chapter XII · The Midnight Visit

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

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

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

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

(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 All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

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

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

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

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

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

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

with brightness

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

brought together in one place

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

the time at which something is supposed to begin

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

with discontent; in a discontented manner

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

in a cheerless manner

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

take in liquids

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

plural of “exercise” — the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading It was not a first-class inn.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

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

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

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

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

a long loud emotional utterance

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

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

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

set up or lay the groundwork for

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not a first-class inn.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

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

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

the force of workers available

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

the next day

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

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

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

impressive in appearance

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not a first-class inn.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

covered with water

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

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

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

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

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

filled with great numbers crowded together

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

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

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

plural of “traveler” — a person who changes location

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

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

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.

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

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

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

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

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

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

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

From this reading The house before which our travelers had stopped, although clean and moderately well kept, was one in which the middle and lower classes collected every night to drink their beer, smoke their meerschaums and chat a while around the fire, which always burned brightly in the public room.

during the time that

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

which person or people

From this reading All those were already filled to overflowing by the crowds who thronged the place to be present on the morrow at the commencement exercises of —— Institute.

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

From this reading Late one night, while the wind was howling dismally, and the rain poured down in torrents, a carriage drawn by a pair of noble but weary and dripping horses, drew up before an inn in the village of ——, Germany.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Two men alighted, and muttering discontentedly about the storm, hastened within the friendly shelter of the inn.