Chapter I

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "You've paid me the money, and have arranged about your lease.

quickly and without warning

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

having companions or an escort

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

Having no one else present.

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading "You've paid me the money, and have arranged about your lease.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

a continuing very loud noise

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

United States politician who was elected the first black mayor of Los Angeles (1917-1998)

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading The business is yours."

not characterized by emotion

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

yet to be or coming

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

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

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

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

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

and nothing more

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

property that is leased or rented out or let

From this reading "You've paid me the money, and have arranged about your lease.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

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

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading "You've paid me the money, and have arranged about your lease.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading "You've paid me the money, and have arranged about your lease.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

according to the clock

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading "You've paid me the money, and have arranged about your lease.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

in an unfortunate way

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

do one's shopping

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

the season of growth

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

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

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

at the time that

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

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

From this reading Finding a Profession It was just past ten o'clock on a chilly morning in the early spring when Joe Bradley emerged from the shop door of the little house which had been his father's, and stepped, as it were, abruptly into life.

which person or people

From this reading "There it is," he said, somewhat sadly, handing the key to a man who accompanied him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The banging of the door and the turning of the key were a species of signal to him, as if to warn him that the past, however fair or foul it may have been, was done with, and that the future alone stared him in the face.

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

From this reading "You've paid me the money, and have arranged about your lease.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You've paid me the money, and have arranged about your lease.

the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to

From this reading The business is yours."