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 Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

how long something has existed

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

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

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

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

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

an orderly arrangement

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

of or relating to clerks

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

plural of “cobweb” — a fabric so delicate and transparent as to resemble a web of a spider

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

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

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

plural of “cut” — a share of the profits

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

worn and broken down by hard use

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

remove the dust from

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

the act of forming or establishing something

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

plural of “file” — a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

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

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

plural of “gap” — a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

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

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

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

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

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

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

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

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

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

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

a floor covering

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

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 The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

a particular point in time

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

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

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

information about recent and important events

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

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

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

plural of “publication” — a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

not used up

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

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

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

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

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

the environmental condition

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

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

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

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 The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

the starting point for a new state or experience

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

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

From this reading A new and peculiar distaste for these familiar surroundings seemed suddenly to have sprung into life.

qualities of appearance that do not give pleasure to the senses

From this reading For the first time he realized the intense ugliness of this scene of his daily labors.

not neat and tidy

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

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

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Burton stood for a moment upon the threshold of the office, looking around him.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

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

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

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

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

which person or people

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The long desk, ink-splashed and decrepit, was covered with untidy piles of papers, some of them thick with dust; the walls were hung with seedy-looking files and an array of tattered bills; there were cobwebs in every corner, gaps in the linoleum floor-covering.

a late time of life

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading In front of the office-boy--a youth about fourteen years of age, who represented the remaining clerical staff of the establishment--were pinned up several illustrations cut out from _Comic Cuts_, the _Police News_, and various other publications of a similar order.