Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

anew

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

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

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

eagerly desirous

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

having authority or ascendancy or influence

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

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

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

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

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

a social or business visitor

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

things that make you comfortable and at ease

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

high in price or charging high prices

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

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

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

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

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

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

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

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

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

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

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

large strong hand (as of a fighter)

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

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

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

of great significance or value

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

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

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

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 The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

the force of workers available

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

not any; not one

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

and nothing more

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

plural of “overcoat” — a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

being or affecting only a part; not total

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

the trait of remaining inactive; a lack of initiative

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

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

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

the science of mental life

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

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

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

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

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

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

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Silk hats and expensive overcoats sometimes hung on the hooks in the corner.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

someone skilled in the transcription of speech (especially dictation)

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

not in physical motion

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The big leather chair, so placed that it faced the light and left the lawyer in partial shadow behind his desk, had held many a strange and anxious caller in its day.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

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

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

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

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

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

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

plural of “type” — a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

the criminal class

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

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

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

which person or people

From this reading THE STENOGRAPHER STILL LISTENING The visitors who came and went occasionally up the back stairs at Blatchford Ferguson's office were a motley lot.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Again, ill-kempt figures slunk up that back way and signal-tapped an entrance; for in his police-reporter days Blatch Ferguson had been interested in the study of underworld types and he made no secret of his intention of one day writing an authoritative work upon the psychology of crime.

past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of

From this reading Great men, men of national importance, had sat in that deep old leather chair; but with fine passivity it yielded the same comforts to men who only thought they were important.