used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading Tarling ate his breakfast in silence and pushed away the plate.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Tarling ate his breakfast in silence and pushed away the plate.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
blue-bloused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
Chinamannoun
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
Chu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
the organ of sight
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
floodedadjectiveUS /ˈflʌdəd/
covered with water
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
the literary culture
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
LingnounUS /lɪŋ/
water chestnut whose spiny fruit has two rather than 4 prongs
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
LondonernounUS /ˈlʌndənər/
a native or resident of London
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
PISTOLnounUS /ˈpɪstəl/
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Tarling ate his breakfast in silence and pushed away the plate.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Tarling ate his breakfast in silence and pushed away the plate.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
tangnounUS /tæŋ/
a tart spicy quality
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
Tarling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
a just detectable amount
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
at the time that
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
which person or people
From this reading The blue-bloused Chinaman who stood behind his master's chair, poured out the tea and laid a newspaper on one side of the plate and letters on the other.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading THE OWNER OF THE PISTOL All trace of the fog of the night before had disappeared when Tarling looked out from his bedroom window later that morning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
yawnedverbUS /jɔːnd/
past form of “yawn” — utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired
From this reading Tarling stretched his arms and yawned in the sheer luxury of living, before he took down his silk dressing-gown and went in to the breakfast which Ling Chu had laid for him.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The streets were flooded with yellow sunshine, and there was a tang in the air which brought the colour to the cheek and light to the eye of the patient Londoner.
