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 patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

later than; following

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

having help; often used as a combining form

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

in addition

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

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

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

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

From this reading In small things, as well as great ones, Dietel was very methodical.

plural of “assistant” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

the childhood of a boy

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

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

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

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

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

without stop or interruption

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

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

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening)

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

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

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

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

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

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

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

terrestrial plant-eating insect with hind legs adapted for leaping

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In small things, as well as great ones, Dietel was very methodical.

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

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

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

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

-ing form of “heed” — pay close attention to; give heed to

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

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

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

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

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

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

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

plural of “jerk” — a dull stupid fatuous person

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

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

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

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 patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

blemished by injury or rough wear

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

characterized by method and orderliness

From this reading In small things, as well as great ones, Dietel was very methodical.

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

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading In small things, as well as great ones, Dietel was very methodical.

above and across; more than

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

mended usually clumsily by covering a hole with a patch

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

a coniferous tree

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

only a very short time before

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

a garment worn on the upper half of the body

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

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

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

dependable

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

plural of “tablecloth” — a covering spread over a dining table

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

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

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading In small things, as well as great ones, Dietel was very methodical.

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

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

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

of the highest quality

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.

precisely as stated

From this reading In small things, as well as great ones, Dietel was very methodical.

a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

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

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading In small things, as well as great ones, Dietel was very methodical.

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

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

in or to any place at all

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

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

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

a Caucasian

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

which person or people

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

belonging to which person

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

the extent of something from side to side

From this reading He swung his stout body to and fro with jerks like a grasshopper, and in doing so his shirt rose above his belt, but the white napkin under his arm did not move a finger's width.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At first Dietel, the old waiter, whose bullet-shaped head was covered with thick gray hair, also failed to notice them.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Without heeding their entrance, he continued,--aided by two assistants who were scarcely beyond boyhood,--to set the large and small pine tables which he had placed wherever he could find room.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading The patched tablecloths which he spread over the tops were coarse and much worn; the dishes carried after him by the two assistants, whose knees bent under the burden, were made of tin, and marred by many a dent.