used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
Anybody'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
from appearances alone
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
assertedadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪd/
confidently declared to be so
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
BurtonnounUS /ˈbɜːrtən/
English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
cautionedverbUS /ˈkɑːʃənd/
past form of “caution” — warn strongly; put on guard
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
a period of 100 years
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
clewsnounUS /kluːz/
the cords used to suspend a hammock
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
confideverbUS /kənˈfaɪd/
reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
culpritsnounUS /ˈkʌlprɪts/
plural of “culprit” — someone who perpetrates wrongdoing
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
diamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
dishearteningadjectiveUS /dɪsˈhɑːrtənɪŋ/
destructive of morale and self-reliance
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
exasperatingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzæspəreɪtɪŋ/
extremely annoying or displeasing
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
EXCURSIONnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/
a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
the act of giving
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
Hollings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
of the present time and place
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
a message received and understood
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
inspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
and nothing more
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
a form of address for a man
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
not any; not one
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
a full supply
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
a strong line
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
sagelyadverb
in a wise manner
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
snarledadjectiveUS /ˈsnɑːrəld/
tangled in knots or snarls
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
not in physical motion
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
thievesnounUS /θiːvz/
plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
tidingsnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Instead he shook his head sagely, cautioned patience, and merely observed he was giving the culprits plenty of rope.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Anybody'd think we had half a century to land those thieves," snarled he.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading AN EXCURSION Another week passed and still no tidings of the stolen diamonds came.
well-nighadverb
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading This information was disheartening enough to Mr. Burton, his partner, and Christopher himself, but to the unfortunate Hollings it was well-nigh exasperating.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The inspector, to be sure, asserted with high confidence that he had clews but apparently they were tangled tracks reaching too far away to bring immediate results; neither would he confide what they were.
