Chapter VII · The Old Well House

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

anew

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

preventing entry or exit or a course of action

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

become glassy; lose clear vision

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

past form of “bolt” — move or jump suddenly

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

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

From this reading But the waking morning brought disquiet with it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the waking morning brought disquiet with it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

a feeling of mild anxiety about possible developments

From this reading But the waking morning brought disquiet with it.

having the place or position changed

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

divisible by two

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

experiencing or showing fear

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

destroyed or killed

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

listen; used mostly in the imperative

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

a social unit living together

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

something that serves to indicate or suggest

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading But the waking morning brought disquiet with it.

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

making no sound

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

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

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

the state of being disregarded or forgotten

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

and nothing more

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

become less interesting or attractive

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

in the near future

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

having confidence restored; freed from anxiety

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

in the recent past

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

get by special effort

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

filled with shade

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

in the near future

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

required or under orders

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

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

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

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

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading But the waking morning brought disquiet with it.

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

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

the general location where something is

From this reading So strong was his sense of a presence even then in the room, or only recently gone from it, that he held his breath to hearken for any indication of its whereabouts; and so sitting, a little fearful, was presently reassured by the sound of the great door in the hall below being undisguisedly barred and bolted.

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

From this reading Whereat, concluding that it was earlier than he had supposed, and that the household was only now making secure for the night, he lay down again, convinced he had been dreaming, and was soon deep in the waters of oblivion.

a Caucasian

From this reading He had been dreaming, and in his dreams it had seemed to him that something shadowy and noiseless had entered by the door, and come and bent above his bed, its features a white blur in a pall of blackness.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But the waking morning brought disquiet with it.

inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading One night Brion woke suddenly from a disturbed sleep, and sat up in the dark, his heart thumping.