Chapter I

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

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

how long something has existed

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

(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 When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

a silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

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

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

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

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

with suspicion or disapproval

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

plural of “aviator” — someone who operates an aircraft

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

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

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

inflected form of “behold” — see with attention

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

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

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

to stress, single out as important

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

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

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

past form of “frequent” — do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

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

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

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

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

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

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

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

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

comparative of “harsh” — unpleasantly stern

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

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

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

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 Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

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

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

clean or organized

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

on one occasion

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

and nothing more

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

comparative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

the body of people in a learned occupation

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

an antiquity that has survived from the distant past

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

plural of “resort” — a hotel located in a resort area

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

plural of “roller” — a grounder that rolls along the infield

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

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

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

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

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

showing signs of wear and tear

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

do one's shopping

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

comparative of “stern” — of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

plural of “stoker” — Irish writer of the horror novel about Dracula (1847-1912)

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

the quality of being superior

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

past form of “surmise” — infer from incomplete evidence

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

one who lives through affliction

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

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

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

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

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

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

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

possessive form of “today” — the present time or age

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

plural of “turbine” — rotary engine in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid is converted into mechanical energy by causing a bladed rotor to rotate

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

a residential part of town away from the central commercial district

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

precisely as stated

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

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

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

the area of a city (such as a harbor or dockyard) alongside a body of water

From this reading It was upon the waterfront that I first met her, in one of the shabby little tea shops frequented by able sailoresses of the poorer type.

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

From this reading The uptown, glittering resorts of the Lady Aviators' Union were not for such as she.

at the time that

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Stern of feature, bronzed by wind and sun, her age could only be guessed, but I surmised at once that in her I beheld a survivor of the age of turbines and oil engines--a true sea-woman of that elder time when woman's superiority to man had not been so long recognized.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading When, to emphasize their victory, women in all ranks were sterner than today's need demands.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The spruce, smiling young maidens--engine-women and stokers of the great aluminum rollers, but despite their profession, very neat in gold-braided blue knickers and boleros--these looked askance at the hard-faced relic of a harsher day, as they passed in and out of the shop.