Chapter II · In Persia

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

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

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

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

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

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They were at liberty to leave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

only a very short time before

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

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

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone

From this reading They were at liberty to leave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.

a youthful male person

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading They were at liberty to leave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

without deviation

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

in a doubtful manner

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

an interpreter and guide in the Near East

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

set up or found

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

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

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

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

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

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

From this reading They were at liberty to leave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

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

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

go away from a place

From this reading They were at liberty to leave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading They were at liberty to leave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.

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 Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

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

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

on one occasion

From this reading They were at liberty to leave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

past form of “overhaul” — travel past

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

plural of “passport” — any authorization to pass or go somewhere

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

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

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

in a polite manner

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

past form of “scrutinize” — to look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

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

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

causing surprise or wonder or amazement

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

confined on all sides

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

carry out

From this reading They were at liberty to leave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

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

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

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

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

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

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

in the direction of

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people

From this reading Barely had they passed from the custom house when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, as it seemed, by people from all the tribes of the earth.

of or relating to or characteristic of Turkey or its people or language

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

inflected form of “undergo” — pass through

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

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

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

at the time that

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

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

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

which person or people

From this reading When they reached the pier they found themselves confronted by several Turkish officers, who immediately began questioning them.

belonging to which person

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They were at liberty to leave the custom house at once and take their belongings with them.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Then Mustapha, the dragoman, whispered a word in Dick’s ear, and directly the boy slipped some money into the hand of one of the officers, whose manner toward them underwent a most surprising change, for he politely assured them that their baggage would not be opened and that there need not be the slightest delay.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Their passports were scrutinized doubtfully; and it began to appear that there would be a long delay, during which all their luggage would be overhauled and examined piece by piece.