used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE COMBINATIONS AT THE BANK.
attributedverbUS /əˈtrɪbjətɪd/
past form of “attribute” — attribute or credit to
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading THE COMBINATIONS AT THE BANK.
BarrowsnounUS /ˈbæroʊz/
plural of “barrow” — the quantity that a barrow will hold
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
Bret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Marsten never felt that he was paying too much.
Chinee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
citizennounUS /ˈsɪtəzən/
a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
COMBINATIONSnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “combination” — a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading THE COMBINATIONS AT THE BANK.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
widely known and esteemed
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading But Marsten never felt that he was paying too much.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It was a house that was very hard to get into, for one thing.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It was a house that was very hard to get into, for one thing.
HartenounUS /hɑːrt/
United States writer noted for his stories about life during the California gold rush (1836-1902)
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
HavennounUS /ˈheɪvən/
a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Marsten never felt that he was paying too much.
HeathennounUS /ˈhiːðən/
a person who does not acknowledge your god
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
ten 10s
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a house that was very hard to get into, for one thing.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a house that was very hard to get into, for one thing.
law-abidingadjective
(of individuals) adhering strictly to laws and rules and customs
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
localitynounUS /loʊˈkæləti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
Marsten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Marsten never felt that he was paying too much.
Marsten's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But Marsten never felt that he was paying too much.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But Marsten never felt that he was paying too much.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
on one occasion
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was a house that was very hard to get into, for one thing.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading But Marsten never felt that he was paying too much.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
rentverbUS /rent/
let for money
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMBINATIONS AT THE BANK.
a special situation
From this reading It was a house that was very hard to get into, for one thing.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But Marsten never felt that he was paying too much.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
two times
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a house that was very hard to get into, for one thing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For the pursuit of ways that are dark and tricks that are vain, which Bret Harte once attributed to his famous “Heathen Chinee,” Barrows couldn’t have selected a better place than those back rooms in Marsten’s house.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading Marsten’s place cost him a hundred dollars a month in rent, which was about twice what a house in that locality in New Haven is worth to the ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
