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 Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

(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 It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading He was always running short in the most inconvenient places.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

the person who leads a musical group

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

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

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

one or the other of two

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

a quad with a square body

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

the organ of sight

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

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

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

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

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

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

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs

From this reading He was always running short in the most inconvenient places.

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

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

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 as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

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

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

the force of workers available

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He was always running short in the most inconvenient places.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

not any; not one

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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 It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

above and across; more than

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

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

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He was always running short in the most inconvenient places.

tavern consisting of a building with a bar and public rooms; often provides light meals

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

precisely, exactly

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading He was always running short in the most inconvenient places.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

an act of economizing; reduction in cost

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

the basic unit of money in Uganda; equal to 100 cents

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading He was always running short in the most inconvenient places.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

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

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

in the near future

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

having a supporting base

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

past form of “toy” — behave carelessly or indifferently

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

a four-wheeled wagon that runs on tracks in a mine

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

hard to endure

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading I knew one man as used to keep all but a shilling or two in a belt next to ’is skin so that he couldn’t get at it easy, but it was all no good.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

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

From this reading It ain’t for the want of trying either with some of ’em, and I’ve known men do all sorts o’ things as soon as they was paid off, with a view to saving.

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

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

at the time that

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

in a wistful manner

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.

to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)

From this reading I’ve seen ’im wriggle for five minutes right off, with a tramcar conductor standing over ’im and the other people in the tram reading their papers with one eye and watching him with the other.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Sailormen are not good ’ands at saving money as a rule, said the night-watchman, as he wistfully toyed with a bad shilling on his watch-chain, though to ’ear ’em talk of saving when they’re at sea and there isn’t a pub within a thousand miles of ’em, you might think different.