used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
ascribedverbUS /əˈskraɪbd/
past form of “ascribe” — attribute or credit to
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
assurancesnounUS /əˈʃʊrənsɪz/
plural of “assurance” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
being joined in close association
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
casketnounUS /ˈkæskət/
box in which a corpse is buried or cremated
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
clairvoyants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
consultedverbUS /kənˈsʌltəd/
past form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
coroner'snounUS /ˈkɔːrənərz/
possessive form of “coroner” — a public official who investigates by inquest any death not due to natural causes
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
approval
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
currentlyadverbUS /ˈkɜːrəntli/
at this time or period; now
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mr. Vigors did not favour that belief.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
egregiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
extravagantadjectiveUS /ekˈstrævəɡənt/
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading Mr. Vigors did not favour that belief.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
groundlessadjectiveUS /ˈɡraʊndləs/
without a basis in reason or fact
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
gulled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
impostornounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːstər/
a person who makes deceitful pretenses
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
inhabitantnounUS /ɪnˈhæbətənt/
a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
inquestnounUS /ˈɪnkwest/
an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
intimatedverbUS /ˈɪntəmeɪtɪd/
past form of “intimate” — give to understand
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
magistratenounUS /ˈmædʒəstreɪt/
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Vigors did not favour that belief.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
pervertedadjectiveUS /pərˈvɜːrtɪd/
(used of sexual behavior) showing or appealing to bizarre or deviant tastes
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
prevalentadjectiveUS /ˈprevələnt/
most frequent or common
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
robbernounUS /ˈrɑːbər/
a thief who steals from someone by threatening violence
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
term of address for a man
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mr. Vigors did not favour that belief.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
tragedynounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
Vigors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Vigors did not favour that belief.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
vulgaradjectiveUS /ˈvʌlɡər/
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
From this reading The belief prevalent in the town ascribed the murder of Sir Philip to the violence of some vulgar robber, probably not an inhabitant of L----.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He intimated an opinion, which seemed extravagant and groundless, that Sir Philip had been murdered, for the sake not of the missing purse, but of the missing casket.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Be that as it may, the coroner's inquest closed without casting any light on so mysterious a tragedy.
zealnounUS /ziːl/
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading It was currently believed that the solemn magistrate had consulted one of his pretended clairvoyants, and that this impostor had gulled him with assurances, to which he attached a credit that perverted into egregiously absurd directions his characteristic activity and zeal.
