adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
boardedverbUS /ˈbɔːrdəd/
past form of “board” — get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
boughtverbUS /bɑːt/
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
Brissenden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
BuildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
burdenedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrdənd/
bearing a heavy burden of work or difficulties or responsibilities
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
carnounUS /kɑːr/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
ComeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
constitutedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstətuːtəd/
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
dinedverbUS /daɪnd/
past form of “dine” — have supper; eat dinner
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
FerryverbUS /ˈferi/
transport from one place to another
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
fledverbUS /fled/
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
gallon-demijohns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
heelsnounUS /hiːlz/
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
keepverbUS /kiːp/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
liquornounUS /ˈlɪkər/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
MartinnounUS /ˈmɑːrtən/
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
meagreadjective
deficient in amount or quality or extent
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
MissionnounUS /ˈmɪʃən/
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
OaklandnounUS /ˈoʊklənd/
a city in western California on San Francisco Bay opposite San Francisco; primarily and industrial urban center
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
overcoatnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊt/
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
portnounUS /pɔːrt/
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
quart-bottles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
returningadjectiveUS /rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
RuthnounUS /ruːθ/
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
storenounUS /stɔːr/
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
StreetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
water-front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
whimnounUS /wɪm/
a sudden desire
From this reading They had dined together in San Francisco, and were at the Ferry Building, returning to Oakland, when the whim came to him to show Martin the “real dirt.”
whiskeynounUS /ˈwɪski/
a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
wholesaleadverbUS /ˈhoʊlseɪl/
at a wholesale price
From this reading At a wholesale liquor store he bought two gallon-demijohns of old port, and with one in each hand boarded a Mission Street car, Martin at his heels burdened with several quart-bottles of whiskey.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He turned and fled across the water-front, a meagre shadow in a flapping overcoat, with Martin straining to keep up with him.
wonderedverbUS /ˈwʌndərd/
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading If Ruth could see me now, was his thought, while he wondered as to what constituted the real dirt.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Come on,—I’ll show you the real dirt,” Brissenden said to him, one evening in January.
