Chapter I

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

From this reading Time, 9.35, one hot evening towards the end of summer.

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

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

(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 SCENE.--The bar of the Hotel of All Nations, Thursday Island.

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

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

separated or at a distance in place or position or time

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

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

From this reading BY GUY BOOTHBY AUTHOR OF ON THE WALLABY, ETC.

(Genesis 11:1-11) a tower built by Noah's descendants (probably in Babylon) who intended it to reach up to heaven; God foiled them by confusing their language so they could no longer understand one another

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

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

From this reading SCENE.--The bar of the Hotel of All Nations, Thursday Island.

an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

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

From this reading BY GUY BOOTHBY AUTHOR OF ON THE WALLABY, ETC.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BY GUY BOOTHBY AUTHOR OF ON THE WALLABY, ETC.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Time, 9.35, one hot evening towards the end of summer.

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

From this reading BY GUY BOOTHBY AUTHOR OF ON THE WALLABY, ETC.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Time, 9.35, one hot evening towards the end of summer.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

an informal term for a youth or man

From this reading BY GUY BOOTHBY AUTHOR OF ON THE WALLABY, ETC.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Time, 9.35, one hot evening towards the end of summer.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading SCENE.--The bar of the Hotel of All Nations, Thursday Island.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

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

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading SCENE.--The bar of the Hotel of All Nations, Thursday Island.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

-ing form of “loll” — hang loosely or laxly

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

the force of workers available

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

plural of “nation” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading SCENE.--The bar of the Hotel of All Nations, Thursday Island.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BY GUY BOOTHBY AUTHOR OF ON THE WALLABY, ETC.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading BY GUY BOOTHBY AUTHOR OF ON THE WALLABY, ETC.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Time, 9.35, one hot evening towards the end of summer.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

above and across; more than

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

directed toward a specific object

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

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

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

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

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading SCENE.--The bar of the Hotel of All Nations, Thursday Island.

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

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Time, 9.35, one hot evening towards the end of summer.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

waves breaking on the shore

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

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

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

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

From this reading BY GUY BOOTHBY AUTHOR OF ON THE WALLABY, ETC.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

move fast, noisily, and heavily

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading SCENE.--The bar of the Hotel of All Nations, Thursday Island.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Time, 9.35, one hot evening towards the end of summer.

in the direction of

From this reading Time, 9.35, one hot evening towards the end of summer.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

get undressed

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

regarded with disfavor or lacking general approval

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.

any of various small or medium-sized kangaroos; often brightly colored

From this reading BY GUY BOOTHBY AUTHOR OF ON THE WALLABY, ETC.

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

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

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

From this reading There was surely complete evidence before the house that the two ragamuffins particularised above were unpopular.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The room contains about twenty men, in various stages of undress; an atmosphere like the furnace doors of Sheol; two tatterdemalions lolling, apart from the rest, at the end of a long counter; a babel of voices, with the thunder of the surf, on the beach outside, over all.