Chapter VII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading To be candid, I may admit Baines had some excuse.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading To be candid, I may admit Baines had some excuse.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

close interaction

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

accept an excuse for

From this reading To be candid, I may admit Baines had some excuse.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

causing irritation or annoyance

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

and nothing more

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading To be candid, I may admit Baines had some excuse.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

not any; not one

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

and nothing more

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

continue to exist

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

possessive form of “professor” — someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

be equal to in quality or ability

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

-ing form of “treat” — interact in a certain way

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

a source of difficulty

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

an English dynasty descended from Henry Tudor; Tudor monarchs ruled from Henry VII to Elizabeth I (from 1485 to 1603)

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE DEATH-TRAP IN THE TUDOR ROOM I had not been to Chelsea for some weeks--indeed, I had not been in town, business having kept me in the country--and I returned to find a letter from Quarles which had been waiting for me for three days.

which person or people

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He was as irritating as Quarles himself could be on occasion, and was entirely without the professor's genius.

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy

From this reading Several cases were in my hands just then--affairs of no great difficulty nor any particular interest--and only in one case had I had any worry.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading This trouble was due, not so much to the case itself as to the fact that it had brought me in contact with another detective named Baines, who would persist in treating me as a rival.