Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

a public promotion of some product or service

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

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

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

(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 "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

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

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

at or toward the back of something

From this reading He scratched the cat behind the ear, and despite himself his face darkened.

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

past form of “chuck” — throw carelessly

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

carbon fuel produced by distillation of coal

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

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

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

provide a cure for, make healthy again

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time

From this reading He scratched the cat behind the ear, and despite himself his face darkened.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading He scratched the cat behind the ear, and despite himself his face darkened.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading He scratched the cat behind the ear, and despite himself his face darkened.

a quad with a square body

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

every person

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

the organ of sight

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading He scratched the cat behind the ear, and despite himself his face darkened.

devoid of good sense or judgment

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He scratched the cat behind the ear, and despite himself his face darkened.

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

and nothing more

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

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 I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

in a yearning manner

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

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

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

a public toilet for men

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

above and across; more than

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

past form of “scratch” — cause friction

From this reading He scratched the cat behind the ear, and despite himself his face darkened.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

inflected form of “sling” — hurl as if with a sling

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic or chance

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

plural of “supper” — a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

up to a particular time

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading As I said afore, everybody is superstitious, and those that ain't ought to be night-watchmen for a time--that 'ud cure 'em.

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

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

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

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I knew one man that killed a black cat, and arter that for the rest of his life he could never get three sheets in the wind without seeing its ghost.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "Slung it over the side, they would," he said, longingly, "and chucked bits o' coke at it till it sank.