Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

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

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

later than; following

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

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

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

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

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

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

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

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

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

a very intense and uncontrolled fire

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

in disagreement

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

-ing form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

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

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

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

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

opinion or judgment

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

weakening in force or intensity

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

the month following January and preceding March

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

start firing a weapon

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

a church congregation guided by a pastor

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

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

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

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

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

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

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

characterized by or arising from psychoneurotic hysteria

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

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

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

set down according to a plan

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

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

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

make a map of; show or establish the features of details of

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

United States architect who was the presidentially appointed architect of Washington D.C. (1781-1855)

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

United States writer (1925-1964)

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

and nothing more

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

displaying a red color

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

any of various typically terrestrial amphibians that resemble lizards and that return to water only to breed

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

for a short time

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

having a supporting base

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

in a stolid manner

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

in a stony manner

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

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

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

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

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

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

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

the upper part of anything

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading The man standing at the desk did not notice them; he was looking stolidly from map to newspaper, from newspaper to map, as from the hysterical and conflicting accounts of the conflagration he tried to measure the extent of the calamity.

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

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

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

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

at the time that

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.

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

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

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

From this reading On the top floor of the Salamander office in William Street a man stood silent before a map desk on which was laid an open map of the city of Boston.

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 It was late in the afternoon, and the level rays of the declining sun came in redly at the window.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With one of these by his elbow, in the fading light of the late February day, F. Mills O'Connor stood, stonily and with hard eyes, gazing at ruin.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading The morning papers had told but little, since they had gone to press when the fire was only a few hours old; and as the day was Sunday, and a holiday, there had been available only a few of the usual flock of evening sheets which begin to appear in New York shortly after breakfast.