Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

how long something has existed

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

disposed to please

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

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

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

under normal conditions

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

-ing form of “consider” — deem to be

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

the dried meat of the coconut from which oil is extracted

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

cheerfully irresponsible

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

someone who is a detective

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

ranking above all others

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

being six more than forty

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

a newspaper or official journal

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

the act of departing

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

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

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

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

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

a particular point in time

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

in the open air

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

a diver who searches for molluscs containing pearls

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

a state in northeastern Australia

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

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

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

express in words

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

highest in quality

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

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

From this reading First and foremost, my name, age, description, and occupation, as they say in the _Police Gazette_.

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

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

the mottled horny substance of the shell of some turtles

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.

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

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

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

From this reading And big shame to me if I were not so strong, considering the free, open-air, devil-may-care life I've led.

at the time that

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

which person or people

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

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

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

showing curiosity

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Why, I was doing man's work at an age when most boys are wondering when they're going to be taken out of knickerbockers.

combatant who tries to throw opponent to the ground

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

a late time of life

From this reading Eight-and-twenty years of age, neither particularly good-looking nor, if some people are to be believed, particularly amiable, six feet two in my stockings, and forty-six inches round the chest; strong as a Hakodate wrestler, and perfectly willing at any moment to pay ten pounds sterling to the man who can put me on my back.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Richard Hatteras, at your service, commonly called Dick, of Thursday Island, North Queensland, pearler, copra merchant, _beche-de-mer_ and tortoiseshell dealer, and South Sea trader generally.