Chapter XI

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

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

later than; following

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

plural of “alarm” — fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

(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 To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

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

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

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

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

moving or going or growing upward

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

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

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

English novelist (born in Poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

the overhang at the lower edge of a roof

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

the act of forming or establishing something

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

a social unit living together

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

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

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

the act of departing

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

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

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

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

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

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

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

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

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

within a building

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

and nothing more

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

immediately past

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

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

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

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 To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

lowest in rank or importance

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

engage in

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

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

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

a particular point in time

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

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

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

not any; not one

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

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

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

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

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

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

From this reading RIX.

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

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

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

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

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

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

in the near future

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

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

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

a person who directs and manages an organization

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

past form of “switch” — change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

the act of changing one thing or position for another

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

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

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

in or at that place or location

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

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

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

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

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

male cat

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

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

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

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

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

a guard who keeps watch

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.

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

From this reading The house was closed as soon as the last member of the family went up to his or her rooms.

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

From this reading The burglar alarms were switched on every night by Conrad Pinney, the superintendent, just after the house was closed.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

at the time that

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading They were switched off at five in the morning by Tom, the indoors watchman, when the lowest rank of menials in the service of the establishment descended from their little rooms under the eaves of the west wing to make ready the first-floor rooms for the day.

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

From this reading To escape, she must choose the moment or so between the ascending of the last member of the family and the switching on of the alarms--and it must be on a night when some one member of the family stayed down long enough after the going of the rest to make it certain there would be no accidental glancing into her rooms to see that all was well.