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 A FAMILY MATTER.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

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

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

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

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

adopted in order to deceive

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

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

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

plural of “connection” — a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

an intense desire for some particular thing

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

divisible by two

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

at any time

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage)

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

a social unit living together

From this reading A FAMILY MATTER.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

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

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

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

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

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

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

someone unfortunate without housing

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

an impudent statement

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

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

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

plural of “intimate” — someone to whom private matters are confided

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

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

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

tell false information to for fun

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading A FAMILY MATTER.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

as might be expected

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

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

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

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

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

not any; not one

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

temperamentally disinclined to talk

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

a boy attending school

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

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

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

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

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

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

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

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

From this reading Nickie was naturally reticent about his own business; On the point of family connections he was dumb.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

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

From this reading Certainly, Nickie did not regret his respectable past, if he were ever respectable, and it is equally certain that he had no craving for high things in the way of tall hats and two-storey houses.

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

From this reading EVEN Nickie's intimates of the wharves and the river banks knew nothing of his ancestors or relations.

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

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was assumed that he had had a father and mother at some stage of his career, but the evolution of Nickie the Kid from a schoolboy, with shining morning face, to a homeless rapscallion, living on his impudence, was never dwelt upon by our hero, which is a great pity, as the process of degeneration must have been highly interesting.