used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
bullyingnounUS /ˈbʊliɪŋ/
the act of intimidating a weaker person to make them do something
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
cablegramnounUS /ˈkeɪbəlɡræm/
a telegram sent abroad
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
deliveringverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
one or the other of two
From this reading He did not believe, either, that the telegraph officials had been nervy enough to resort to police protection.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He did not believe, either, that the telegraph officials had been nervy enough to resort to police protection.
eyedadjectiveUS /aɪd/
having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified; often used in combination
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
holdersnounUS /ˈhoʊldərz/
plural of “holder” — a holding device
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
justifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪd/
having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
engage in
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
nervyadjectiveUS /ˈnɜːrvi/
being in a tense state
From this reading He did not believe, either, that the telegraph officials had been nervy enough to resort to police protection.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not believe that the cablegram had been demanded by another.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
officialsnounUS /əˈfɪʃəlz/
plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office
From this reading He did not believe, either, that the telegraph officials had been nervy enough to resort to police protection.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
and nothing more
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading He did not believe, either, that the telegraph officials had been nervy enough to resort to police protection.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading He did not believe, either, that the telegraph officials had been nervy enough to resort to police protection.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading He did not believe, either, that the telegraph officials had been nervy enough to resort to police protection.
telegraphnounUS /ˈteləɡræf/
apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)
From this reading He did not believe, either, that the telegraph officials had been nervy enough to resort to police protection.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
TRICKSnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
usingnounUS /ˈjuːzɪŋ/
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That was only a pretext on the part of his enemies to make their attitude of delay appear more reasonable.
WEREauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading TRICKS THAT WERE VAIN Ned eyed the bullying detective keenly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If, as was claimed, the message was now claimed by two, the holders would certainly be justified in using great caution in delivering it.
