Chapter XVI · Enter Father Humperdinck

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

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

later than; following

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

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

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

causing dejection

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

divisible by two

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

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

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

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

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

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

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

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

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

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

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

a health facility where patients receive treatment

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

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

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

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

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And so it turned out.

past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

conformity or harmony

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

past form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

engage in

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

having or revealing supreme mastery or skill

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

the force of workers available

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

held or filled or in use

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

and nothing more

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And so it turned out.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

plural of “physician” — a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

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

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

possessive form of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

on the contrary

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

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

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

possessive form of “salter” — someone who uses salt to preserve meat or fish or other foods

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

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

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

like or suggestive of a sheep in docility or stupidity or meekness or timidity

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

do one's shopping

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

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

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And so it turned out.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

catch sight of

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

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

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

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

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

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

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

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

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

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

From this reading On the day following my--and Thorndyke’s--masterly retreat from Salter’s Club, the plain-clothes officer called to make his report; and even before he spoke, I judged from his rather sheepish expression that he had failed.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading And so it turned out.

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

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

up to a particular time

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

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

From this reading After the shops had shut, the persevering shadower had occupied himself with a sort of dismal sentry-go up and down the street, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing at regular intervals.

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

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

look attentively

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

at the time that

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

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

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.

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

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

which person or people

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading He had waited in the porter’s lodge, he told us, until midnight keeping a watch on the watcher, who, for his part, lurked in the street, always keeping in sight of the hospital, and whiling away the time by gazing into the shop windows.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The spy had evidently failed to recognize Thorndyke, for when the latter left the hospital in company with one of the physicians, he had given only a passing glance at the open carriage in which the two men sat.