adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
begad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A woman, begad!" the warrior exclaimed.
bloodlessadjectiveUS /ˈblʌdləs/
destitute of blood or apparently so
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
brownnounUS /braʊn/
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
bunchnounUS /bʌntʃ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
colonelnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəl/
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 was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
coollyadverbUS /ˈkuːli/
in a composed and unconcerned manner
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
crabapplenoun
any of numerous varieties of crab apples cultivated for their small acidic (usually bright red) fruit used for preserves or as ornamentals for their blossoms
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
crumpledadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌmpəld/
of metal e.g.
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
dangledverbUS /ˈdæŋɡəld/
past form of “dangle” — hang freely
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
drawernounUS /drɔːr/
a boxlike container in a piece of furniture; made so as to slide in and out
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "A woman, begad!" the warrior exclaimed.
extremelyadverbUS /ekˈstriːmli/
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
eyeglassnounUS /ˈaɪɡlæs/
lens for correcting defective vision in one eye; held in place by facial muscles
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
fire-eating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
grimadjectiveUS /ɡrɪm/
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
ImagineverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒən/
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
lockverbUS /lɑːk/
fasten with a lock
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
lockedverbUS /lɑːkt/
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading It was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
parchmentnounUS /ˈpɑːrtʃ.mənt/
A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, used for writing.
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
pedestalnounUS /ˈpedəstəl/
a support or foundation
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
prison-inspecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
proppedverbUS /prɑːpt/
inflected form of “prop” — support by placing against something solid or rigid
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
puckered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
RafflesnounUS /ˈræfəlz/
British colonial administrator who founded Singapore (1781-1826)
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
refusedverbUS /rəˈfjuːzd/
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
sightnounUS /saɪt/
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
tamperverbUS /ˈtæmpər/
play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
truculentadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌkjələnt/
defiantly aggressive
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
warriornounUS /ˈwɔːriər/
someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading "A woman, begad!" the warrior exclaimed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was, it could only be, the fire-eating and prison-inspecting colonel himself!
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A grim smile crumpled up the parchment face, so that one eye was puckered out of sight; the other was propped open by an eyeglass, which, however, dangled on its string when I appeared.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
wiryadjectiveUS /ˈwɪri/
lean and sinewy
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was ready for me, a revolver in his hand, taken, as I could see, from one of those locked drawers in the pedestal desk with which Raffles had refused to tamper; the drawer was open, and a bunch of keys depended from the lock.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "A woman, begad!" the warrior exclaimed.
worstnounUS /wɜːrst/
the least favorable outcome
From this reading Imagine a thin but extremely wiry man, past middle age, brown and bloodless as any crabapple, but as coolly truculent and as casually alert as Raffles at his worst.
