used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
contributedverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːtɪd/
past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
depreciatoryadjective
tending to decrease or cause a decrease in value
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading He explained to Lane a few of its marvels.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He explained to Lane a few of its marvels.
financiernounUS /ˌfɪnənˈsɪr/
a person skilled in large scale financial transactions
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Scotland Yard says impossible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
invulnerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvʌlnərəbəl/
immune to attack; impregnable
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
a narrow way or road
From this reading He explained to Lane a few of its marvels.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
makersnounUS /ˈmeɪkərz/
plural of “maker” — a person who makes things
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
marvelsnounUS /ˈmɑːrvəlz/
plural of “marvel” — something that causes feelings of wonder
From this reading He explained to Lane a few of its marvels.
mechanismnounUS /ˈmekənɪzəm/
the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
the force of workers available
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
Morrice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
a form of address for a man
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
nettledadjectiveUS /ˈnetəld/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
on one occasion
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
perfectingverbUS /pərˈfektɪŋ/
-ing form of “perfect” — make perfect or complete
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
with low volume
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
past form of “retort” — answer back
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
RIFTnounUS /rɪft/
a gap between cloud masses
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
Identical; not different.
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Scotland Yard says impossible.
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading Scotland Yard says impossible.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
subsequentadjectiveUS /ˈsʌbsəkwənt/
following in time or order
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
suggestionsnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
in or at that place or location
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
precisely as stated
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
whorlsnounUS /wɜːrlz/
plural of “whorl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
belonging to which person
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Scotland Yard says impossible.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
