used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As in a flash, the boy reviewed the circumstances of the predicament in which he found himself.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading The boy’s heart was beating violently.
a youthful male person
From this reading As in a flash, the boy reviewed the circumstances of the predicament in which he found himself.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boy’s heart was beating violently.
brigandnoun
an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
Cheong-Chau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading As in a flash, the boy reviewed the circumstances of the predicament in which he found himself.
clutchesnounUS /ˈklʌtʃəz/
the act of grasping
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
dismayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmeɪd/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
at any time
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading As in a flash, the boy reviewed the circumstances of the predicament in which he found himself.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
set up or found
From this reading As in a flash, the boy reviewed the circumstances of the predicament in which he found himself.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
come to pass
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The boy’s heart was beating violently.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As in a flash, the boy reviewed the circumstances of the predicament in which he found himself.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
immediately past
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
come together
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
new-comer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
perceiveverbUS /pərˈsiːv/
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
predicamentnounUS /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading As in a flash, the boy reviewed the circumstances of the predicament in which he found himself.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
redoubtableadjectiveUS /riˈdaʊtəbəl/
inspiring fear
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
retreatednounUS /riˈtriːtəd/
people who have retreated
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
reviewedverbUS /riˈvjuːd/
past form of “review” — look at again; examine again
From this reading As in a flash, the boy reviewed the circumstances of the predicament in which he found himself.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
ruffians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
vigorouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪɡərəsli/
with vigor; in a vigorous manner
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/
in a violent manner
From this reading The boy’s heart was beating violently.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
(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 It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
at the time that
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As in a flash, the boy reviewed the circumstances of the predicament in which he found himself.
which person or people
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
belonging to which person
From this reading It was as much as he could do to lift his eyes from the ground to meet those of the redoubtable brigand from whose clutches he had so recently escaped; and when at last he did so, he was more than ever dismayed to perceive that Cheong-Chau was attended by three of his ruffians, whom Frank knew well by sight.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Frank, who feared instinctively that the worst would happen, retreated hastily to the other end of the room.
WunounUS /wuː/
a dialect of Chinese spoken in the Yangtze delta
From this reading There he busied himself with vigorously sweeping the floor, until he was summoned by Ah Wu to attend to the wants of the new-comer.
