Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

later than; following

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

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

From this reading FRANK FINDS AN EMPLOYER.

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

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

at or in or to any place

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

next to; at the side of

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Up creaking and dilapidated staircases to the fourth floor the boys went.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

reduced in size or pulled together

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

a squeaking sound

From this reading Up creaking and dilapidated staircases to the fourth floor the boys went.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

someone who is a detective

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

in deplorable condition

From this reading Up creaking and dilapidated staircases to the fourth floor the boys went.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading FRANK FINDS AN EMPLOYER.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

plural of “family” — a social unit living together

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

a social unit living together

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading FRANK FINDS AN EMPLOYER.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Up creaking and dilapidated staircases to the fourth floor the boys went.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading Up creaking and dilapidated staircases to the fourth floor the boys went.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading FRANK FINDS AN EMPLOYER.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

past form of “halt” — cause to stop

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

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

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

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

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

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

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

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

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

engage in

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

of an obscure nature

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

clean or organized

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

plural of “neighborhood” — a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

causing or able to cause nausea

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

plural of “pay” — something that remunerates

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

by chance

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

comparative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

get by special effort

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

let for money

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

have in common

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

morally degraded

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

plural of “staircase” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading Up creaking and dilapidated staircases to the fourth floor the boys went.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

possessive form of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

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

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

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

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

propel through the air

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

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

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

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

From this reading Up creaking and dilapidated staircases to the fourth floor the boys went.

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

From this reading It was in front of this tenement-house that Dick halted, and plunged into a dark entrance, admonishing Frank to follow.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Up creaking and dilapidated staircases to the fourth floor the boys went.

at the time that

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

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

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

which person or people

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

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

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.

a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

From this reading A stone's throw from Centre street stands a tall tenement-house, sheltering anywhere from forty to fifty families in squalid wretchedness.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The rent which each family pays would procure a neat house in a country town, with perhaps a little land beside; but the city has a mysterious fascination for the poorer classes, and year after year many who might make the change herd together in contracted and noisome quarters, when they might have their share of light and space in country neighborhoods.