Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

later than; following

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

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

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

the capacity to understand a broad range of topics

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

a festival marked by merrymaking and processions

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

for the most part

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

possessive form of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

at any time

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

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

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

hound or harry relentlessly

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

a worker who holds or is invested with an office

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

a preparation (usually made of sweetened chicle) for chewing

From this reading WILLY GUM.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

plural of “guy” — an informal term for a youth or man

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

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

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

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

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

hide under a false appearance

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

a form of address for a man

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

having a supporting base

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

successive (without a break)

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.

the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

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

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

two times

From this reading A sharp nose, twice the length and half the breadth of any ordinary nose--a very ferret of a nose; its sharp tip standing straight out into the air.

precisely as stated

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

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

From this reading It is a term chiefly applied to ghosts; but Mr. Gum was a great deal more like a ghost than like a man.

a Caucasian

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

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

From this reading WILLY GUM.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was remarkably tall and thin; a very shadow; with a white shadow of a face, and a nose that might have served as a model for a mask in a carnival of guys.

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

From this reading Had Percival Elster lingered ever so short a time near the clerk's house that morning he would have met that functionary himself; for in less than a minute after he had passed out of sight Jabez Gum's door opened, and Jabez Gum glided out of it.