used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
in addition
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Hines and Little Bobtail walked up to the hotel.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
Bobtailnoun
a short or shortened tail of certain animals
From this reading Mr. Hines and Little Bobtail walked up to the hotel.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "We shall make a good case of it, Bobtail," said Mr. Hines.
CHASEverbUS /tʃeɪs/
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading THE CHASE.
ChinksnounUS /tʃɪŋks/
plural of “chink” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
convictnounUS /ˈkɑːnvɪkt/
a person serving a sentence in a jail or prison
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
employingverbUS /emˈplɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “employ” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "We shall make a good case of it, Bobtail," said Mr. Hines.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
only a very short time before
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
Hines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Hines and Little Bobtail walked up to the hotel.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Mr. Hines and Little Bobtail walked up to the hotel.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "We shall make a good case of it, Bobtail," said Mr. Hines.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
go away from a place
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mr. Hines and Little Bobtail walked up to the hotel.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
engage in
From this reading "We shall make a good case of it, Bobtail," said Mr. Hines.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Hines and Little Bobtail walked up to the hotel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
pumpingverbUS /ˈpʌmpɪŋ/
-ing form of “pump” — operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
roguesnounUS /roʊɡz/
plural of “rogue” — a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "We shall make a good case of it, Bobtail," said Mr. Hines.
screwnounUS /skruː/
someone who guards prisoners
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "We shall make a good case of it, Bobtail," said Mr. Hines.
simpletonnoun
a person lacking intelligence or common sense
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
a student who fails to attend classes
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
smugglingnounUS /ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/
secretly importing prohibited goods or goods on which duty is due
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
in or at or to some place
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
stupiditynounUS /stuːˈpɪdɪtiː/
a poor ability to understand or to profit from experience
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHASE.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Hines and Little Bobtail walked up to the hotel.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mr. Hines and Little Bobtail walked up to the hotel.
villainsnounUS /ˈvɪlənz/
plural of “villain” — a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
From this reading The former had possessed himself of sufficient evidence to convict Captain Chinks of smuggling, and also of intense stupidity in employing a simpleton like Ben Chinks in such a dangerous business, though rogues and villains almost always leave a screw loose somewhere.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Mr. Hines and Little Bobtail walked up to the hotel.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We shall make a good case of it, Bobtail," said Mr. Hines.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I could hardly keep from laughing while you were pumping Ben Chinks," replied the skipper.
