Chapter XXIII

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

From this reading A HAPPY MEETING.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

(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 THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

plural of “assurance” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

a rapid active commotion

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

past form of “consent” — give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

having the place or position changed

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

divisible by two

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

an expectation

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

opinion or judgment

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

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

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading A HAPPY MEETING.

only a very short time before

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

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

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

possessive form of “maxwell” — a cgs unit of magnetic flux equal to the flux perpendicular to an area of 1 square centimeter in a magnetic field of 1 gauss

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading A HAPPY MEETING.

a particular point in time

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

a form of address for a man

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

and nothing more

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

above and across; more than

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

by chance

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

by chance

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

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

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

successive (without a break)

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

a message transmitted by telegraph

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

having passed out of existence

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

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

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

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

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was quite half-an-hour afterwards when he opened his eyes, and fixed them in a half-wondering way on the sweet face that was bent down over his.

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

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

at the time that

From this reading All his dread of meeting his parents seemed to have vanished, and in spite of Mr Maxwell’s assurances that Mrs Armitage could not possibly arrive that night, even if she were at home and able to start the moment she received the telegram, he pleaded to be allowed to remain up an hour later than usual, and only consented to go to bed when his eyes were growing so heavy that he could hardly keep them open.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading THE whole of the next day Vivian lay under the lime-tree, hardly speaking at all, a look of happy expectancy on his face.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Perhaps this was the reason why he was not disturbed by the bustle of an arrival early next morning, although the window of his bedroom looked straight down into the courtyard; and why he did not wake when his bedroom door was gently opened, and some one entered the room and sat down in the great arm-chair at the head of his bed.