Chapter I

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

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

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

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

plural of “appetite” — a feeling of craving something

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

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

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

a privileged class holding hereditary titles

From this reading Once it was the home of aristocracy and wealth.

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

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

a period of 100 years

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

relatively low in price or charging low prices

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

placed crosswise

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

characterized by or advocating or based upon the principles of democracy or social equality

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

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

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

plural of “feast” — a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

comparative of “free” — not limited or hampered; not under compulsion or restraint

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

a state of high honor

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

containing an unusual amount of grease or oil

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

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

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

plural of “grievance” — a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

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

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

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

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Once it was the home of aristocracy and wealth.

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

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

past form of “indulge” — give free rein to

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

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

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Once it was the home of aristocracy and wealth.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

(physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a magnetic field

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

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 A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

possessive form of “mark” — a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

the force of workers available

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

a particular point in time

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

used to form the superlative

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

on one occasion

From this reading Once it was the home of aristocracy and wealth.

plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

existing in great number or quantity

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

euphemisms for “fat”

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

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

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

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

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

impressive in appearance

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

possessive form of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

confined on all sides

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

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

From this reading A _table-d’hôte_ dinner, greasy, cheap, and plentiful, is the magnet that has drawn from the East Side many of its most daring spirits, men with great grievances and enormous appetites.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

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

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

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

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

propel through the air

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

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

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

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

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

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

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

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

From this reading Once it was the home of aristocracy and wealth.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading Once it was the home of aristocracy and wealth.

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

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

which person or people

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

belonging to which person

From this reading To-day it is an eating-place for those whose lot is poverty and whose faith is democratic.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.

plural of “woe” — misery resulting from affliction

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading At the moment at which our story opens, the rooms in which in the old days portly Knickerbockers indulged in stately feasts are crowded with picturesque waifs from the Old World, who have, for a variety of reasons, crossed the Atlantic to air their woes in a freer atmosphere than surrounded them at home.

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

From this reading Almost within a stone’s throw of the antique structure that for a full century has been known to New Yorkers as St. Mark’s Church stands a mansion that has had, like Eden, its glory and its fall.