used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
AlaricnounUS /ˈælərɪk/
king of the Visigoths who captured Rome in 410 (370-410)
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "CHINKS" AND "DOPE."
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
berthsnounUS /bɜːrθs/
plural of “berth” — a job in an organization
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
bunksnounUS /bʌŋks/
plural of “bunk” — a long trough for feeding cattle
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
Chinamen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
CHINKSnounUS /tʃɪŋks/
plural of “chink” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading "CHINKS" AND "DOPE."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
DOPEnounUS /doʊp/
street names for marijuana
From this reading "CHINKS" AND "DOPE."
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
set up or found
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
and nothing more
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
set afire or burning
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
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 Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
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 By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
metal-bowled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
used to form the superlative
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
not in physical motion
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
of an obscure nature
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
held or filled or in use
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
plankingnounUS /ˈplæŋkɪŋ/
planks collectively; a quantity of planks
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
recliningnounUS /rɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/
the act of assuming or maintaining a reclining position
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
stemsnounUS /stemz/
plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
stupornounUS /ˈstuːpər/
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
very small
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
unmistakablyadverbUS /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbli/
without possibility of mistake
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
precisely as stated
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Some were smoking tiny metal-bowled pipes with long stems, while others lay in a motionless stupor.
a Caucasian
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading By the dim light in these rooms Alaric could see that many of these berths were occupied by reclining figures, most of whom were Chinamen, though a few were unmistakably white.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading The dark passage into which the lads had just been ushered was short, and ended at another door of heavy planking before Alaric found a chance to ask his companion why they had come to such a very queer and mysterious place.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The opening of that second door admitted them to another passage equally narrow, but well lighted, and lined with a number of tiny rooms, each containing two bunks arranged like berths one above the other.
