used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
aboundedverbUS /əˈbaʊndɪd/
past form of “abound” — be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
blackbirdsnounUS /ˈblækbərdz/
plural of “blackbird” — any bird of the family Icteridae whose male is black or predominantly black
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
breedverbUS /briːd/
call forth
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
CherbourgnounUS /ˈʃerbuːrɡ/
a port town in northwestern France on the English Channel; site of a naval base
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
deathsnounUS /deθs/
plural of “death” — the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
digue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
dulledadjectiveUS /dʌld/
having lost or been caused to lose interest because of overexposure
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
employmentnounUS /emˈplɔɪmənt/
the state of being employed or having a job
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
in a free manner
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
hangers-on
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
ill-lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
ill-paved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
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 Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
Low-classadjective
occupying the lowest socioeconomic position in a society
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
mean-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
not any; not one
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
privateering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
quarrellings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
rookerynoun
a breeding ground for gregarious birds (such as rooks)
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
smugglingnounUS /ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/
secretly importing prohibited goods or goods on which duty is due
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
spawnverbUS /spɑːn/
call forth
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
TIGER'SnounUS /ˈtaɪɡərz/
possessive form of “tiger” — a fierce or audacious person
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
toilers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
precisely as stated
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
which person or people
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
wine-shops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
