Chapter I

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

From this reading It was a bitter evening in late December.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

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

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

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

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

on or to one side

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

a member of the Nahuatl people who established an empire in Mexico that was overthrown by Cortes in 1519

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

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

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

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

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading It was a bitter evening in late December.

make a strident sound

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading THE BOYS START FOR THE TROPICS.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

a borough of New York City

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

put or send forth

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

serving as an essential component

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

possessive form of “company” — an institution created to conduct business

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

the last (12th) month of the year

From this reading It was a bitter evening in late December.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

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

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It was a bitter evening in late December.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE BOYS START FOR THE TROPICS.

having unexpected good fortune

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

a state of partial or total darkness

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

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

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

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

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

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

From this reading It was a bitter evening in late December.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a bitter evening in late December.

and nothing more

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading It was a bitter evening in late December.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

having a nose (either literal or metaphoric) especially of a specified kind

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

a brief written record

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

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

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

transport commercially

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

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

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

-ing form of “shoulder” — lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

past form of “snort” — indicate contempt by breathing noisily and forcefully through the nose

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading THE BOYS START FOR THE TROPICS.

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

a request to be present

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

the rays of the sun

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

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

From this reading THE BOYS START FOR THE TROPICS.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

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

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

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

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.

buying or selling securities or commodities

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate

From this reading THE BOYS START FOR THE TROPICS.

plural of “tug” — a sudden abrupt pull

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

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

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

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

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

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

From this reading It was a bitter evening in late December.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Up and down the East River tugs nosed their way through the winter twilight’s gloom, shouldering aside as they snorted along big drifting cakes of ice.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading At her pier, a short distance below the Brooklyn Bridge, the steamer _Aztec_, of the _Central American Trading Company’s_ line had just blown a long, ear-piercing blast—the signal that in half-an-hour she would cast off her lines.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading In the shrill summons there was a note of impatience; as if the ship was herself as eager as her fortunate passengers to be off for the regions of sunshine and out of the misery of the New York winter.