Chapter XVII · How Ling Was Too Late

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

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

later than; following

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

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

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

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

From this reading "At last," said Ling, "Cheong-Chau and myself are to meet.

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

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

moving or going or growing upward

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

the two together, not just one

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

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

From this reading "At last," said Ling, "Cheong-Chau and myself are to meet.

an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

in accordance with convention or custom

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

the habitation of wild animals

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

perceived or discerned

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

of or relating to or suggestive of flowers

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

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

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

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

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

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

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

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

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

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

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

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

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

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

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

immediately past

From this reading "At last," said Ling, "Cheong-Chau and myself are to meet.

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

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

water chestnut whose spiny fruit has two rather than 4 prongs

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

engage in

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

plural of “maxim” — a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

come together

From this reading "At last," said Ling, "Cheong-Chau and myself are to meet.

a particular point in time

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading "At last," said Ling, "Cheong-Chau and myself are to meet.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

not one, and not any

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

an addictive narcotic extracted from seed capsules of the opium poppy

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

literature in metrical form

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

introduce

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

-ing form of “quote” — repeat a passage from

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

plural of “sage” — a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "At last," said Ling, "Cheong-Chau and myself are to meet.

plural of “scholar” — a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

express in speech

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

past form of “sprawl” — sit or lie with one's limbs spread out

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

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

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

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

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

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

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading In his customary boisterous manner, the great Honanese ushered them into the room.

an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

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

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

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

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.

at the time that

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

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

From this reading Ascending the stairs, he sprawled at full length upon the couch upon which Frank had been seated but a few moments before, when Yung How made his confession.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading It was, with Ling, something in the nature of a pose to speak after the fashion of the scholars, using the flowery language of the writers of poesy, or quoting the philosophical maxims of the sages.

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

From this reading None the less, the moment he entered the opium den, though he spoke of other things, it was apparent both to Frank Armitage and Yung How that Ling had detected the fact that they were about to make their escape.