Chapter VIII · A Juvenile Detective

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

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

how long something has existed

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

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

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

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

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

brought into existence

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

the two together, not just one

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

a youthful male person

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

a very troublesome child

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

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

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

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

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

past form of “chance” — be the case by chance

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

not accessible to view

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

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

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

(used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

divisible by two

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

the region that is outside of something

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

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

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

lightly throw to see which side comes up

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

the act of giving

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

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

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

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

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

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

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

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

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

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

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

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

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

the quality of being humane

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

to make better

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

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

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

a small quantity of anything

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

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

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

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

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

not any; not one

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

not one, and not any

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

an amount of time

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

with considerable certainty; without much doubt

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

To recall to mind.

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

meet the requirements or expectations of

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

a district of a city marked by poverty and inferior living conditions

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

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

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

characterized by short periods of noisy commotion

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

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

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

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

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

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

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."

directly under, often hidden by what is above

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading Dowker, underneath his drab exterior, concealed a kind heart, and, having met Flip one night in the rain, had taken compassion on the miserable morsel of humanity, and given him a cup of coffee to warm him and a roll of bread to satisfy his hunger.

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

From this reading Flip was a small dried-up looking boy, born and brought up in a London slum.

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

From this reading Nevertheless, he managed to get along somehow to the age of fifteen, at which period of his life Dowker chanced on him, and his prospects began to improve.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading His mother and father had both deserted him at an early age, giving him nothing to remember them by, not even a name, so he was thrown on the world a squalling brat.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He had no parents--at least, none that he could remember, and had he been asked how he came into existence, he would probably have answered Topsy-like that he "growed."