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 Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

later than; following

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

(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 Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

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

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

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

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

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

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

having authority or ascendancy or influence

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

only a very short time before

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

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

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "Evidently," Johnny thought to himself, "this fellow has been here before."

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

patterned with alternating squares of color

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

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

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

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

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

the protruding part of the lower jaw

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

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

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

the habitation of wild animals

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

plural of “disguise” — an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

be identical or equivalent to

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading "Evidently," Johnny thought to himself, "this fellow has been here before."

a boy or man

From this reading "Evidently," Johnny thought to himself, "this fellow has been here before."

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

plural of “fur” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

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

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

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

From this reading "Evidently," Johnny thought to himself, "this fellow has been here before."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

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

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

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

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading "Evidently," Johnny thought to himself, "this fellow has been here before."

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

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

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

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

possessive form of “johnny” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

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

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

the force of workers available

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

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

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

any new participant in some activity

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

not one, and not any

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

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

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

without much difficulty

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

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

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

a native or inhabitant of Russia

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

cut with a saw

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

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

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

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

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

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

From this reading "Evidently," Johnny thought to himself, "this fellow has been here before."

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "Evidently," Johnny thought to himself, "this fellow has been here before."

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

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

From this reading "Evidently," Johnny thought to himself, "this fellow has been here before."

in the direction of

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

-ing form of “treat” — interact in a certain way

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

without question

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

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

From this reading He was none other than the man of the street fight, the short one of the broad shoulders and sharp chin.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Although unquestionably a Russian, the newcomer appeared quite equal to the task of making his wants known in Chinese, for after a moment's conversation the two men made their way toward the back of the room.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

which person or people

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Johnny was surprised in more ways than one; surprised that the man was here at all; that it could have been he who had given that authoritative signal at the door, and most of all, surprised that Wo Cheng should have admitted him so readily, and should be treating him with such deference.

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

From this reading Johnny's jaw dropped, and he barely checked a gasp, as through his screen of furs he saw the man who now entered Wo Cheng's den of disguises.