Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

give advice to

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

(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 "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

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

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

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

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

react verbally

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

plural of “apparition” — a ghostly appearing figure

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

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

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

towards the shore from the water

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

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

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

a supporter who accepts something as true

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

befitting a young child

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

closely shaved recently

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

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

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

difficult to analyze or understand

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

past form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

speak out against

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

disappointingly unsuccessful

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

refuse to acknowledge

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

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

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

every person

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

the act of departing

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

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

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

filled or abounding with fog or mist

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

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

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

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

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

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

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

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

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

lacking piety or reverence for a god

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

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

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

doubt about the truth of something

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

a message received and understood

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

(Old Testament) Jonah did not wish to become a prophet so God caused a great storm to throw him overboard from a ship; he was saved by being swallowed by a whale that vomited him out onto dry land

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

blemished by injury or rough wear

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

a slight but appreciable amount

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

past form of “range” — change or be different within limits

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

on the contrary

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

a remark that calls attention to something or someone

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

any member of a ship's crew

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

in a grave and sedate manner

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

the utterance of intelligible speech

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

express in words

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

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

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

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

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

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

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

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

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

a rejection of belief

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The talk in the coffee-room had been of ghosts and apparitions, and nearly everybody present had contributed his mite to the stock of information upon a hazy and somewhat thread-bare subject.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Talking of Jonah," he said solemnly, with a happy disregard of the fact that he had declined to answer several eager questions put to him on the subject, "look at the strange tales sailors tell us."

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

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

at the time that

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

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

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

which person or people

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

a female sorcerer or magician

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Opinions ranged from rank incredulity to childlike faith, one believer going so far as to denounce unbelief as impious, with a reference to the Witch of Endor, which was somewhat marred by being complicated in an inexplicable fashion with the story of Jonah.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

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

From this reading "You see when a sailor gets ashore he's expected to have something to tell, and his friends would be rather disappointed if he had not."

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

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I wouldn't advise you to believe all those," said a bluff, clean-shaven man, who had been listening without speaking much.