Chapter V

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

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

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

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

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading THE MILLIONAIRES' CLUB.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

plural of “debater” — someone who engages in debate

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

divisible by two

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

collect in one place

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

the act of departing

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

let have

From this reading "It was this way, Mr. Grant.

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

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

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

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

in an important way or to an important degree

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

a message received and understood

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It was this way, Mr. Grant.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

a special way of doing something

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

plural of “millionaire” — a person whose material wealth is valued at more than a million dollars

From this reading THE MILLIONAIRES' CLUB.

a form of address for a man

From this reading "It was this way, Mr. Grant.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

United States civil rights leader who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery (Alabama) and so triggered the national Civil Rights movement (born in 1913)

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

the quantity of a crop that is harvested

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

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

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

plural of “speech” — the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

a state of extreme hunger resulting from lack of essential nutrients over a prolonged period

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

plural of “strike” — a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

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

From this reading THE MILLIONAIRES' CLUB.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

not having a good education

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

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

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

at the time that

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

in or at the place that

From this reading Though entirely uneducated, he had, as I afterwards heard, a keen memory, and a ready knack of picking up scraps of information, both of which stood him in good stead in the speeches upon social subjects which he was apt to deliver in the parks on Sunday afternoons, and at other places where debaters foregather.

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

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

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

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

in the company of; together with

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

the words that are spoken

From this reading "It's this way," Parker began a trifle importantly--and something there was in his way of saying even these three words which made me suspect him to be a man fond of the sound of his own voice.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading What with the strikes, and the work going out of the country, to Germany and America, and never coming back, in consequence of the strikes, things have been cruel hard in East London this winter, and when a big firm of ship-builders closed their yards, and went North, that meant starvation to thousands of us.