Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

to or in a foreign country

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

the table in Christian churches where communion is given

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

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

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

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

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

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

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

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

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

make loud demands

From this reading The wolf-howling of its revelry was stilled, the clamor of its obscene diversions was hushed.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

plural of “diversion” — an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

From this reading The wolf-howling of its revelry was stilled, the clamor of its obscene diversions was hushed.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

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

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

divisible by two

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

associated with women and not with men

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

any joyous diversion

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

reflecting light

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

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

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

marked by or causing boisterous merriment or convulsive laughter

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

in a softened tone

From this reading The wolf-howling of its revelry was stilled, the clamor of its obscene diversions was hushed.

a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

having no employment

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

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

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The wolf-howling of its revelry was stilled, the clamor of its obscene diversions was hushed.

the sound of laughing

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

full of life and energy

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

a gay feeling

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

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

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

not any; not one

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

designed to incite to indecency or lust

From this reading The wolf-howling of its revelry was stilled, the clamor of its obscene diversions was hushed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

above and across; more than

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

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

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

plural of “ranger” — a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

unrestrained merrymaking

From this reading The wolf-howling of its revelry was stilled, the clamor of its obscene diversions was hushed.

plural of “rite” — an established ceremony prescribed by a religion

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

plural of “scream” — sharp piercing cry

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

shining with brilliant points of light like stars

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

make square

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

past form of “still” — make calm or still

From this reading The wolf-howling of its revelry was stilled, the clamor of its obscene diversions was hushed.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

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

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

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

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

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

From this reading THE HAND OF THE LAW The stars came out over a strange, silent, astonished, confounded, stupefied Ascalon that night.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

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

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

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

From this reading The wolf-howling of its revelry was stilled, the clamor of its obscene diversions was hushed.

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

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading It was as if the sparkling tent of the heavens were a great bowl turned over the place, hushing its stridulous merriment, stifling its wild laughter and dry-throated feminine screams.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The windows of Peden's hall were dark, the black covers were drawn over the gambling tables, the great bar stood in the gloom without one priest of alcohol to administer the hilarious rites across its glistening altar boards.

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

From this reading The wolf-howling of its revelry was stilled, the clamor of its obscene diversions was hushed.

a sharp high-pitched cry (especially by a dog)

From this reading As usual, even more than usual, the streets around the public square were lively with people, coming and passing through the beams of light from windows, smoking and talking and idling in groups, but there was no movement of festivity abroad in the night, no yelping of departing rangers.