Chapter XXIII

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

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

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

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

make known; make an announcement

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

-ing form of “divide” — separate into parts or portions

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

of great significance or value

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

any of numerous fruits of the gourd family having a hard rind and sweet juicy flesh

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

one of two equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

the local environment

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

term of address for a man

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

express in speech

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.

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

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

too much to be measured

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading How so, sir?” was the reply.

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

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

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

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading THE WORK OF A SECRET AGENT.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “You speak of certain important papers which are of untold value, and announce that one-half of those papers have disappeared; as if the papers were a melon, or an apple that one might cut into two parts—dividing them equally.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “It seems to be your pleasure to speak in enigmas, colonel,” said the detective.