Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

further or added

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

anew

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

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

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

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

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

from appearances alone

From this reading This lineman worked on the roof, apparently, for some twenty minutes.

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

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

(usually followed by “to”) strongly opposed

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

a flexible container with a single opening

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

past form of “borrow” — get temporarily

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

the two together, not just one

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

a street in Manhattan that passes through Times Square; famous for its theaters

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

an occurrence of something

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

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

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

relating to or concerned with electricity

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

a movement into or inward

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This lineman worked on the roof, apparently, for some twenty minutes.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

the act of giving

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

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

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

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

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

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

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

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

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

of the present time and place

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

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

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

marked by a lack of interest

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

a native or inhabitant of Italy

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

someone employed to clean and maintain a building

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

and nothing more

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

one of the players on the line of scrimmage

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading This lineman worked on the roof, apparently, for some twenty minutes.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

not any; not one

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

according to the clock

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

having official authority or sanction

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This lineman worked on the roof, apparently, for some twenty minutes.

on one occasion

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

the state of being in effect or being operative

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

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

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading This lineman worked on the roof, apparently, for some twenty minutes.

the act of arranging in a graduated series

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

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

From this reading This lineman worked on the roof, apparently, for some twenty minutes.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

make square

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

plural of “stairway” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

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

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

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

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This lineman worked on the roof, apparently, for some twenty minutes.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

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

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading This lineman worked on the roof, apparently, for some twenty minutes.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

past form of “unpack” — remove from its packing

From this reading For once up on the second roof, and sure that he was under no immediate observation, the lineman in question carefully unpacked his bag of tools.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

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

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

any shape that is triangular in cross section

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

showing signs of much wear or use

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

at the time that

From this reading THE ENTERING WEDGE It was at least four o'clock in the afternoon--as the janitor of the building later reported to the police--when a Postal-Union lineman, carrying a well-worn case of tools, made his way up through the halls and stairways of one of those many Italian apartment houses just south of Washington Square and west of Broadway.

in or at the place that

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

during the time that

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then he came down again, chatted for a while with the janitor in the basement, and giving him a cigar, borrowed an eight-foot step-ladder, for the purpose of scaling some twelve feet of brick wall, where the adjoining office building towered its additional story above the apartment-house roof.

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading If the janitor had been less averse to mounting his five flights of stairway, or less indifferent as to the nature of the work which took the busy telegraph official up to his roof, he might, that afternoon, have witnessed both a delicate and an interesting electrical operation.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading This lineman worked on the roof, apparently, for some twenty minutes.