used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
anew
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
ConfrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading If only he had a witness to the conversation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
Councillornoun
a member of a council
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
debatingverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
earshotnounUS /ˈɪrʃɑːt/
the range within which a voice can be heard
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
FailingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Failing that there was little use in reporting the matter.
Fordyce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
formulateverbUS /ˈfɔːrmjəleɪt/
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If only he had a witness to the conversation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If only he had a witness to the conversation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Failing that there was little use in reporting the matter.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Failing that there was little use in reporting the matter.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
Mindiggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
of an obscure nature
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
and nothing more
From this reading If only he had a witness to the conversation.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
a human being
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
pursueverbUS /pərˈsuː/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
rackedverbUS /rækt/
past form of “rack” — go at a rack
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
reportingnounUS /riˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
the news as presented by reporters for newspapers or radio or television
From this reading Failing that there was little use in reporting the matter.
sailor'snounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
possessive form of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
sea-front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
secludedadjectiveUS /sɪˈkluːdɪd/
hidden from general view or use
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
Sub-Lieutenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Failing that there was little use in reporting the matter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Failing that there was little use in reporting the matter.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
UltimatumnounUS /ˌʌltəˈmeɪtəm/
a final peremptory demand
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading With a true sailor's instinct he paced up and down, debating with himself as to the course of action he should pursue.
the act of using
From this reading Failing that there was little use in reporting the matter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Failing that there was little use in reporting the matter.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
whereby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
in the company of; together with
From this reading An Ultimatum Confronted with the mysterious problem Sub-Lieutenant Fordyce made his way to a secluded part of the sea-front.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He racked his brains to formulate a scheme whereby he could discuss the matter again with Councillor Mindiggle, this time with a third person unseen but within earshot.
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading If only he had a witness to the conversation.
