used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
airilyadverb
in a flippant manner
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
alighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
arrivalsnounUS /ərˈaɪvəlz/
plural of “arrival” — accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
CavendishnounUS /ˈkævəndɪʃ/
British chemist and physicist who established that water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen and who calculated the density of the earth (1731-1810)
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
Charley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
crowdingnounUS /ˈkraʊdɪŋ/
a situation in which people or things are crowded together
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
dodgeverbUS /dɑːdʒ/
make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
set up or found
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
he'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
immemorialadjectiveUS /ˌɪməˈmɔːriəl/
long past; beyond the limits of memory or tradition or recorded history
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
KetchnounUS /ketʃ/
a sailing vessel with two masts; the mizzen is forward of the rudderpost
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/
an event that causes someone to die
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
linkingverbUS /ˈlɪŋkɪŋ/
-ing form of “link” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
loungingverbUS /ˈlaʊndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "ONE MORE UNFORTUNATE."
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "ONE MORE UNFORTUNATE."
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
a human being
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
railway-platforms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
Speckport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
steamboatnounUS /ˈstiːmboʊt/
a boat propelled by a steam engine
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
express in words
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He found that officer killing time by lounging on the platform, and staring at the passengers, as he alighted.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading "ONE MORE UNFORTUNATE."
Val
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
Val's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Poor devil!" said the captain, swinging his cane airily about, and linking his arm in Val's; "I hope he'll dodge them, and escape Jack Ketch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first person to tell Val Blake of Charley's flight was Captain Cavendish.
wharves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Speckport, from time immemorial, had had a great fancy for crowding steamboat wharves and railway-platforms, to look at new arrivals; and strangers in the place fell into the habits of the natives, unconsciously.
