Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

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

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

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

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

any thing at all

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

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

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

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

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

a very intense and uncontrolled fire

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

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

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

a female human offspring

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

possessive form of “daughter” — a female human offspring

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

past form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

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

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

a push button at an outer door that gives a ringing or buzzing signal when pushed

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

superlative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

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

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

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

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

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

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

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

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

brought about or caused; not spontaneous

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

go away from a place

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

for more time

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

English historian noted for his works on the history of English law (1850-1906)

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

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

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

information about recent and important events

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

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

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

according to the clock

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

and nothing more

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

more desirable than another

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

recurring again and again

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

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

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

in or at or to some place

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

plural of “start” — the beginning of anything

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

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

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

carry out

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

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

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

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

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

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

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

occurring among members of a family usually by heredity

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

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

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

not anticipated

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

a mental position from which things are viewed

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "I don't know anything about fires, but if this one starts in this direction I want to be here, and not away somewhere," she repeated to her daughter's urging; nor could she be induced to take any other viewpoint.

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

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

at the time that

From this reading It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when there came a ring at the Maitlands' doorbell.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading So in their rooms they remained, and their only news from without was transmitted to them from the servants and visitors to the building.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading It had not been the easiest waiting in the world, that of the two women in the half-deserted apartment building through the long night and longer day.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Helen would have preferred to go out of doors, feeling that there she could see and follow, at a distance at least, the progress of the conflagration; but Mrs. Maitland in a strange and unlooked-for obstinacy absolutely declined to leave the apartment or to permit her daughter to do so.