used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
any thing at all
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
AssuredlyadverbUS /əˈʃʊrədli/
without a doubt
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
for the reason that
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
CookenounUS /kʊk/
United States journalist (born in England in 1908)
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
Darnell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
fairiesnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
five-pound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
Frithiof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
hobgoblins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
honestlyadverbUS /ˈɑːnəstli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
liningnounUS /ˈlaɪnɪŋ/
a protective covering that protects an inside surface
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
Maskelyne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
not any; not one
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
a brief written record
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
pinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
reproachnounUS /riˈproʊtʃ/
a mild rebuke or criticism
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
Roy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
express in words
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
a special situation
From this reading But he could not honestly believe in such a thing—it would have been as easy to him to believe in the existence of fairies and hobgoblins.
up to a particular time
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
unexplainedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspleɪnd/
not explained
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
unsympatheticadjectiveUS /ənˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
not sympathetic or disposed toward
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
waistcoatnoun
a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
From this reading Assuredly no one but Frithiof could have taken it out of the till and carefully pinned it to the lining of his waistcoat pocket.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If Roy had seemed unsympathetic as they drove home it was not because he did not feel keenly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Since no such thing as magic existed, and since Darnell had never been an assistant of Maskelyne and Cooke, he could not believe that he had anything to do with the five-pound note.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was indeed afraid to show how keenly he felt, and he would have given almost anything to have been able honestly to say that he, too, believed in some unexplained mystery which should entirely free his friend from reproach.
