Chapter XVIII

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

being ahead of time or need

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

a possible event or occurrence or result

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

showing effects of planning or manipulation

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

plural of “countryman” — a man from your own country

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

the perception that something has occurred or some state exists

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

divisible by two

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

plural of “fellow” — a boy or man

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

given to inquiry

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

signifying nothing

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

and nothing more

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

engage in

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

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

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

a small bottle that contains a drug (especially a sealed sterile container for injection by needle)

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

an edging of small loops, as on lace or ribbon

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

spoil as if by poison

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

be a mystery or bewildering to

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

a particular situation

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

finding a solution to a problem

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

very small

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

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

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

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

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

precisely as stated

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.

plural of “warder” — a person who works in a prison and is in charge of prisoners

From this reading One of the warders, however, of a more inquiring turn of mind than his fellows succeeded, a day or two later, in solving the mystery.

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

From this reading Jules Picot had been carefully searched before being locked up in his cell, and it was an utter puzzle to the jail officials how he had contrived to conceal about him even so insignificant an article as the tiny phial of poison so as to evade detection.

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

From this reading Picot had evidently prepared himself beforehand for a contingency the like of that which had at length befallen him.

during the time that

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The heel of one of his shoes had been so made that it could be unscrewed at will, while inside it was a cavity just large enough to hold the phial.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading The mountebank wore very high-heeled shoes, as many of his countrymen make a practice of doing.