Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

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

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

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

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

completely unclothed

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

make a strident sound

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

a small fragment of something broken off from the whole

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

someone who collects and pays bets at a gaming table

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

the region that is outside of something

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

streaming or flapping or spreading wide as if in a current of air

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

set up or found

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

tastelessly showy

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

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

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

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

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

the act of jostling (forcing your way by pushing)

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

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

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

an unchanging intonation

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

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

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

the state of being ornamented

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

coated with paint

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

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

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

participate in games or sport

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

past form of “quicken” — move faster

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

on the contrary

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

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

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

made clean by scrubbing

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

chosen in preference to another

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

sound of quiet gentle steps

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

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

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

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

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

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

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

a large gathering of people

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

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

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

not known or well known

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

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 walls of the huge room, like the exterior, were painted a garish blue, the floor bare but scrubbed clean, and the chairs and tables had been obviously selected with a view to utility and strength rather than ornamentation.

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

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

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

From this reading The tables were crowded, smoke hung in low-banked clouds below the flaring oil lamps, and the glittering bar at the far end of the room was phalanxed three deep by a jostling, good-natured throng.

at the time that

From this reading THE COMING OF EL NEGRITO When he entered the Blue Chip that night, Thode found play already in full blast.

-ing form of “whine” — move with a whining sound

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.

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

From this reading Soft-footed, wooden-faced Chinese mozos glided about, and the whining monotone of the croupier came from a distant corner.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The scene was not an unfamiliar one to the young engineer, but he glanced about him with quickened interest.