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 Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

quickly and without warning

From this reading "Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly.

(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

American Revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1722-1803)

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

(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 "Then take me there with all possible speed."

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

towards the shore from the water

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

the craft of binding books

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading "Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly.

past form of “bump” — knock against with force or violence

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

the largest city in Ohio; located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie; a major Great Lakes port

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

a boat that transports people or vehicles across a body of water and operates on a regular schedule

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

a scientist who devotes himself to doing research

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading "Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

a room where books are kept

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading "Then take me there with all possible speed."

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading "Then take me there with all possible speed."

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading "Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

term of address for a man

From this reading "Yes, sir."

move stealthily

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

in the near future

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

move hurridly

From this reading "Then take me there with all possible speed."

carry out

From this reading "Then take me there with all possible speed."

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "Then take me there with all possible speed."

in or at that place or location

From this reading "Then take me there with all possible speed."

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

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

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

From this reading "Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly.

a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

in or at the place that

From this reading "Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Then take me there with all possible speed."

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He beckoned to one of the alert taxicabmen, and without waiting to have the vehicle brought to him, ran to it and leaped inside.

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes, sir."

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Do you know where the Vanderslip Building is?" he questioned abruptly.

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

From this reading Being a Certain Case of Importance, Taken from the Note-book of Adam Adams, Investigator and Detective Author of "The Disappearance of John Darr" International Fiction Library Cleveland New York Press of the Commercial Bookbinding Co., Cleveland The young man was evidently in a tremendous hurry, and as soon as the ferryboat bumped into the slip he was at the gate and was the first one ashore.