Chapter VIII · That Stolen Ace of Hearts

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

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

later than; following

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

how long something has existed

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading I have already told you how by nature I was a gambler.

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

From this reading And I became under their improper tutelage an expert cheat myself.

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

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

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

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading And I became under their improper tutelage an expert cheat myself.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

a youthful male person

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I have already told you how by nature I was a gambler.

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

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

deprive somebody of something by deceit

From this reading And I became under their improper tutelage an expert cheat myself.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

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

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

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

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

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

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

a large retail store organized into departments offering a variety of merchandise; commonly part of a retail chain

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

the act of forming or establishing something

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading And I became under their improper tutelage an expert cheat myself.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

set up or found

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events

From this reading I have already told you how by nature I was a gambler.

plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

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

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

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

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have already told you how by nature I was a gambler.

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

From this reading I have already told you how by nature I was a gambler.

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

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

not suitable or right or appropriate

From this reading And I became under their improper tutelage an expert cheat myself.

present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

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

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading I have already told you how by nature I was a gambler.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

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

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

showing possibility of achievement or excellence

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

being one more than sixteen

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

a professional card player who makes a living by cheating at card games

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

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

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

that is looked for

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

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

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And I became under their improper tutelage an expert cheat myself.

on that

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I had inborn hankerings after games of chance, and it was scant time, indeed, before I found myself on terms of more or less near acquaintance with every card sharper of the city.

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

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading I have already told you how by nature I was a gambler.

possessive form of “tom” — male cat

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

teaching pupils individually (usually by a tutor hired privately)

From this reading And I became under their improper tutelage an expert cheat myself.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading And I became under their improper tutelage an expert cheat myself.

not fully developed or mature; not ripe

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

something that remunerates

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

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

From this reading I have already told you how by nature I was a gambler.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

at the time that

From this reading When I, at the unripe age of seventeen, left my father’s poor cottage-house on Tom’s Run and threw myself into life’s struggle, I sought Pittsburg as a nearest promising arena of effort.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had a small place at a smaller wage as a sort of office boy and porter for a down-town establishment devoted to a commerce of iron; but as I came early to cut my connection with that hard emporium we will not dwell thereon.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I have already told you how by nature I was a gambler.