used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Inside, it was gloomy, and the air invariably reeked of stale tobacco and drink.
Allandales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
dennounUS /den/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
take in liquids
From this reading Inside, it was gloomy, and the air invariably reeked of stale tobacco and drink.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
execrableadjectiveUS /ˌeɡˈzekrəbəl/
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
Foss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
fouler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
depressingly dark
From this reading Inside, it was gloomy, and the air invariably reeked of stale tobacco and drink.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Inside, it was gloomy, and the air invariably reeked of stale tobacco and drink.
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Inside, it was gloomy, and the air invariably reeked of stale tobacco and drink.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
Lablache's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
market-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
nightlyadjectiveUS /ˈnaɪtli/
happening every night
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
not any; not one
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
North-Westadverb
to, toward, or in the northwest
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
occurrencesnounUS /əˈkɜːrənsɪz/
plural of “occurrence” — an event that happens
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
one of four equal parts
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
reeked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inside, it was gloomy, and the air invariably reeked of stale tobacco and drink.
reekingadjectiveUS /ˈriːkɪŋ/
wet with secreted or exuded moisture such as sweat or tears
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
saloonnounUS /səˈluːn/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
sing-songs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
staleadjectiveUS /steɪl/
lacking freshness, palatability, or showing deterioration from age
From this reading Inside, it was gloomy, and the air invariably reeked of stale tobacco and drink.
having a supporting base
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading Inside, it was gloomy, and the air invariably reeked of stale tobacco and drink.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" It was less than a quarter of a mile from the Allandales' house to the saloon--a den of reeking atmosphere and fouler spirits.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
at the time that
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
whiskynounUS /ˈwɪski/
a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading It was a fairly large wooden building standing at the opposite end of the open space which answered the purpose of a market-place, and facing Lablache's store.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The bar was large, and at one end stood a piano kept for the purpose of "sing-songs"--nightly occurrences when the execrable whisky had done its work.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
produce a literary work
From this reading The saloon at Foss River was no better and no worse than hundreds of others in the North-West at the time of which we write.
