Chapter I

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

anew

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

in a state of sleep

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

a youthful male person

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

a state at a particular time

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

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

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

one or the other of two

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

equally distant from the extremes

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

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

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

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

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

and nothing more

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

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

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

a camp defended by a circular formation of wagons

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

engage in

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

the force of workers available

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

in large part; mainly or chiefly

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

the people who inhabit a territory or state

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

being one more than sixteen

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

a person, without saying who

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

make square

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

the first light of day

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

a run-down apartment house barely meeting minimal standards

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

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

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

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

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

in the direction of

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading It was towards the end of a very hot summer, and all the human population of that crowded square of the great city had spent the first half of the night in the streets.

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

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

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

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.

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

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

which person or people

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

fully awake

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Either that, or in leaning halfway out of their windows to get a breath of fresh air.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The former were mostly of the sort that sell lager beer and other things in the basement, and the latter were just the kind of places in which men and women ought not to live.

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

From this reading Up in the third-story front room of one of those hotels, however, a boy of about seventeen--a well-built, dark-eyed, curly-headed, handsome boy--sat on a wooden-seated chair, wide-awake, and seemed to be studying the condition of somebody who lay on the bed near him.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Now that sunrise was again so near at hand, however, and the breeze from the sea had done so much to make the world more comfortable to live in, the closely-built “hotels” and tenement houses were all asleep.