Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

(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 Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

Having no one else present.

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

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

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

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

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

any person at all

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

for a short time

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

past form of “bank” — tip laterally

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

exhale hard

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

Scottish author noted for his biography of Samuel Johnson (1740-1795)

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

plural of “bottle” — a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

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

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

the first light of day

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

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

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

plural of “domestic” — a servant who is paid to perform menial tasks around the household

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

take in liquids

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

the act of consuming liquids

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

full of events or incidents

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

apart from; not including

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

a quantity much larger than is needed

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

the organ of sight

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

in a physically fierce manner

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

destroyed or killed

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

an established custom

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

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

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

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

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

a social unit living together

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

engage in

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

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

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

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

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

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

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

a false or unsupportable quality

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

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

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

a source of difficulty

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.

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

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading General Boswell rose before dawn without having closed an eye, and waited for the daylight.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

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

From this reading Jervase made no pretence of courting sleep at all: but having banked up the fire he went down into the cellar, brought up a couple of bottles of brandy, and prepared himself to make a night of it.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

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

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

which person or people

From this reading There was no sleep in the grey-stone house on the Beacon Hill, on that eventful night on which Polson Jervase left his home, for anybody except the domestics, who were ignorant of the blow which had fallen on the household.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading James kept him company awhile in his potations, but by and by crept off to bed, and Jervase sat alone drinking fiercely, at first without apparent effect.

a late time of life

From this reading It had not been his habit for years to drink to excess, but in his earlier days at any time of trouble he had gone to that false solace, and now the instinct came back to him.