Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

anew

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

(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 At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

a narrow street with walls on both sides

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

a street in Manhattan noted for cheap hotels frequented by homeless derelicts

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

plural of “crook” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

someone who pays for goods or services

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

an open river valley (in a hilly area)

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

an opposing military force

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

a coming to an end of a contract period

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading His lips tightened a little as he moved quietly forward.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

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

From this reading His lips tightened a little as he moved quietly forward.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

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

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading His lips tightened a little as he moved quietly forward.

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

From this reading His lips tightened a little as he moved quietly forward.

a member of a people inhabiting the northern Malay Peninsula and Malaysia and parts of the western Malay Archipelago

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

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

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

the force of workers available

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading His lips tightened a little as he moved quietly forward.

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

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

by chance

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

with low volume

From this reading His lips tightened a little as he moved quietly forward.

with speed

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

a mark left (usually on the skin) by the healing of injured tissue

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

make square

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

not in physical motion

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

successive (without a break)

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

being essentially equal to something

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

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

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

in or at that place or location

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

past form of “tighten” — make tight or tighter

From this reading His lips tightened a little as he moved quietly forward.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

the criminal class

From this reading Malay John was a queer customer and a bad enemy, though counted "straight" by the underworld, and trusted by the crooks and near-crooks as few other men were in the Bad Lands.

not known

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

not obtrusive or undesirably noticeable

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.

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

From this reading At the expiration of perhaps ten minutes, he turned east; and still a few minutes later, in the neighbourhood of Chatham Square, plunged suddenly into a dark alleyway--there was, of course, as there was to all such places, an unobtrusive entrance to Malay John's.

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

From this reading To venture here in an unknown character was not far from being tantamount, if he were discovered, to taking his life in his hands.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE MAN WITH THE SCAR Jimmie Dale walked on again, rapidly now, heading down the Bowery.