Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

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

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

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

From this reading They never think of the trouble and the harm they do us; they only think of themselves."

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

not in a state of sleep; completely conscious

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

for the reason that

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

plural of “cab” — a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

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

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

serving as an essential component

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

an old word for “before”

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

the act of giving

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

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

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.

From this reading They never think of the trouble and the harm they do us; they only think of themselves."

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

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

moving with great haste

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

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

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

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

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

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

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

a laborer who is obliged to do menial work

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

and nothing more

From this reading They never think of the trouble and the harm they do us; they only think of themselves."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

select carefully from a group

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

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

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

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

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

express in words

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

term of address for a man

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

the act of killing yourself

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

express a supposition

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading They never think of the trouble and the harm they do us; they only think of themselves."

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

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.

a source of difficulty

From this reading They never think of the trouble and the harm they do us; they only think of themselves."

the topmost one of two

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading They never think of the trouble and the harm they do us; they only think of themselves."

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

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

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "I don't say we have never had a suicide here before, sir," said the porter in reply to Harding as they descended the steps of the hotel; "but I don't see how we are to help it.

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

From this reading London was now awake; the streets were a-clatter with cabs; the pick of the navvy resounded; night loiterers were disappearing and giving place to hurrying early risers.

at any time that; every time that

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Whenever the upper classes want to do away with themselves they chose one of the big hotels--the Grosvenor, the Langham, or ourselves.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Indeed they say more has done the trick in the Langham than 'ere, I suppose because it is more central; but you can't get behind the motives of such people.