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 As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

anew

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

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

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

a sloping gallery with seats for spectators (as in an operating room or theater)

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

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

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

a drug or other agent that stimulates sexual desire

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

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

From this reading "Who are _they_?" asked the youth.

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

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Who are _they_?" asked the youth.

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

a region where a battle is being (or has been) fought

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

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

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

with brightness

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

without care or concern

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

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

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

thrown into a state of disarray or confusion

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

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

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

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

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

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

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

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

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

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

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

plural of “illusion” — an erroneous mental representation

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

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

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

the quality of innocent naivete

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

and nothing more

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

spin, wind, or twist together

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

set afire or burning

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

the action of people mingling and coming into contact

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

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

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

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

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

on one occasion

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

plural of “perfume” — a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

make a dry crackling sound

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

tending to entice into a desired action or state

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

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

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

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

From this reading "Who are _they_?" asked the youth.

-ing form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

often used as intensifiers

From this reading Durkin half-envied him his illusions and his ingenuousness of outlook; he was treading a veritable amphitheatre of orderly disordered passions with the gentle objective stare of a child looking for bright-colored flowers on a battleground.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

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

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

in a weary manner

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

at the time that

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

which person or people

From this reading "Who are _they_?" asked the youth.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading A group of gay and laughing women, with their aphrodisiac rustle of silk and flutter of lace, floated carelessly past.

showing curiosity

From this reading Durkin was wondering, a little wearily, just when he could be alone again.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading As Durkin and the young Chicagoan once more stepped out of the brilliantly lighted theatre, into the balmy night air, a seductive mingling of perfumes and music and murmuring voices blew in their hot faces, like a cooling wave.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading "Who are _they_?" asked the youth.