used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
banking-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
BATSadjectiveUS /bæts/
informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
From this reading BATS IN THE WALL.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
BroadwaynounUS /ˈbrɔːdweɪ/
a street in Manhattan that passes through Times Square; famous for its theaters
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
the act of burning something
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
closestadverbUS /ˈkloʊsəst/
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
combinationnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/
a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
without deviation
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
gas-burner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
HookverbUS /hʊk/
fasten with a hook
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BATS IN THE WALL.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
fasten with a lock
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading And these doors, strange to relate, were unprotected, save by ordinary spring locks.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading And these doors, strange to relate, were unprotected, save by ordinary spring locks.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
RectornounUS /ˈrektər/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
relateverbUS /rɪˈleɪt/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading And these doors, strange to relate, were unprotected, save by ordinary spring locks.
reliedverbUS /rɪˈlaɪd/
inflected form of “rely” — have faith or confidence in
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
rifledadjectiveUS /ˈraɪfəld/
of a firearm; having rifling or internal spiral grooves inside the barrel
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
except for; apart from
From this reading And these doors, strange to relate, were unprotected, save by ordinary spring locks.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
soliditynounUS /səˈlɪdəti/
the consistency of a solid
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
the season of growth
From this reading And these doors, strange to relate, were unprotected, save by ordinary spring locks.
having a supporting base
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading And these doors, strange to relate, were unprotected, save by ordinary spring locks.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
systematicadjectiveUS /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/
characterized by order and planning
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BATS IN THE WALL.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading And these doors, strange to relate, were unprotected, save by ordinary spring locks.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
unprotectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnprəˈtektɪd/
lacking protection or defense
From this reading And these doors, strange to relate, were unprotected, save by ordinary spring locks.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
vaultnounUS /vɒlt/
An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading BATS IN THE WALL.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no evidence that the bank had been entered other than by the rear doors from the Rector street side.
WebsternounUS /ˈwebstər/
English playwright (1580-1625)
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And these doors, strange to relate, were unprotected, save by ordinary spring locks.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Evidently the officers of the Webster Bank had relied upon the solidity of their vault doors for protection, and upon the fact that with plate glass windows upon two sides, facing Rector street and Broadway, the policeman on the beat could see the entire front of the vault as plainly as though it had been standing in the street itself, by the light of the gas-burner, kept burning the entire night directly in front of the combination lock.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Left to himself within the banking-room, Detective Hook, with the closest scrutiny, began a systematic examination of the rifled vault and its surroundings.
