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 Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

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

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

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

From this reading You are really in Mexico before you get there.

approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading You are really in Mexico before you get there.

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

for the most part

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

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

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

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

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

plural of “employee” — a worker who is hired to perform a job

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

divisible by two

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading You are really in Mexico before you get there.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

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

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

a native or inhabitant of Iberia in the Caucasus

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

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

From this reading You are really in Mexico before you get there.

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

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

a city in southern Texas on the Rio Grande

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

in a listless manner

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

plural of “list” — a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

the force of workers available

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

a native or inhabitant of Mexico

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810

From this reading You are really in Mexico before you get there.

used to form the superlative

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

go across or through

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

an artificial language used for trade between speakers of different languages

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

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

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

a strong liking

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

restricted to something

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading You are really in Mexico before you get there.

-ing form of “resort” — have recourse to

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

someone who walks at a leisurely pace

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

a large number or amount

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

the principal law-enforcement officer in a county

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

superlative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

express in speech

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

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

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

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

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

in or at that place or location

From this reading You are really in Mexico before you get there.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

a slight but appreciable amount

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

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

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading Even the post-office employees speak Spanish by preference and I could not do the simplest business without resorting to that tongue.

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

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

hard to endure

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

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

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

precisely as stated

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

plural of “voter” — a citizen who has a legal right to vote

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Scores of dull-skinned men wander listlessly about trying to sell sticks of candy and the like from boards carried on their heads.

in or at the place that

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Laredo is a purely--though not pure--Mexican town with a slight American tinge.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading There are not a dozen shops where the clerks speak even good pidgin English, most signs are in Spanish, the lists of voters on the walls are chiefly of Iberian origin, the very county officers from sheriff down--or up--are names the average American could not pronounce, and the saunterer in the streets may pass hours without hearing a word of English.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You are really in Mexico before you get there.