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 The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

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

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

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

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

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

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

the amount that many barrels might hold

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

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

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

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

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

a short stout club used primarily by policemen

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

of a bluish shade of green

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

rub with a brush, or as if with a brush

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

-ing form of “check” — examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

a roll of tobacco for smoking

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

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

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading He was on the other side of the station and some distance down the platform.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

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

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

the organ of sight

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

covered with a dense coat of fine silky hairs

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

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

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

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

From this reading He was on the other side of the station and some distance down the platform.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

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

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

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

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

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

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

a distinguishing symbol

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

past form of “mouth” — express in speech

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

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

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He was on the other side of the station and some distance down the platform.

above and across; more than

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

any material used especially to protect something

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

make a painting

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

a coniferous tree

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading He was on the other side of the station and some distance down the platform.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

shine with a weak or fitful light

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading He was on the other side of the station and some distance down the platform.

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

From this reading He was on the other side of the station and some distance down the platform.

light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

the rays of the sun

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

naturally having skin of a dark color

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

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

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

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

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

create by training and teaching

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

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

From this reading The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.

look attentively

From this reading If Billy applied an eye to a crack in his hiding place he could watch every stroke of the fat black brush, and see the muscles in the swarthy cheeks move as the man mouthed a big black cigar.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But Billy was not interested in the new freight agent, and remained in his retreat, watching the brilliant sunshine shimmer over the blue-green haze of spruce and pine that furred the way down to the valley.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

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

From this reading Beyond the packing boxes the heavy one worked with brush and paint marking some barrels.

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 The regular station agent was busy checking a high pile of trunks that had come down on the early Lake train from the Hotel and had to be transferred to the New York train.