used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
anew
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
amplifyingverbUS /ˈæmpləfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “amplify” — increase in size, volume or significance
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
BLAKEnounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
bookshelvesnounUS /ˈbʊkʃelvz/
plural of “bookshelf” — a shelf on which to keep books
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
BULLETnounUS /ˈbʊlət/
a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
checkingverbUS /ˈtʃekɪŋ/
-ing form of “check” — examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
criminologicaladjective
of or relating to or involved in criminology
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
fidgetingverbUS /ˈfɪdʒətɪŋ/
-ing form of “fidget” — move restlessly
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
friend'snounUS /frendz/
possessive form of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
involvingverbUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvɪŋ/
-ing form of “involve” — connect closely and often incriminatingly
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
ParkernounUS /ˈpɑːrkər/
United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
poisonverbUS /ˈpɔɪzən/
spoil as if by poison
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/
in a restless manner
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
Riddlesdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
Seddon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
SEXTONnounUS /ˈsekstən/
United States poet (1928-1974)
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
speculationsnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
strummingverbUS /ˈstrʌmɪŋ/
inflected form of “strum” — sound the strings of (a stringed instrument)
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CLUB AND THE BULLET _He is dead, and by my hand.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
trialsnounUS /ˈtraɪəlz/
plural of “trial” — the act of testing something
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
unskillfuladjective
poorly done
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
weekliesnounUS /ˈwiːkliz/
plural of “weekly” — a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)
From this reading He wandered about the room, taking down here and there a book from the shelves, strumming a few unskillful bars upon the piano, glancing through the weeklies, fidgeting restlessly.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Again and again he went over the Riddlesdale Case, checking his notes here, amplifying them there, involving his tired brain in speculations of the most fantastic kind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At length he selected a volume from the criminological section of the bookshelves, and forced himself to read with attention that most fascinating and dramatic of poison trials--the Seddon Case.
wretchnounUS /retʃ/
performs some wicked deed
From this reading It were better that I were dead myself, for the guilty wretch I am._ ADVENTURES OF SEXTON BLAKE Hour after hour Mr. Parker sat waiting for his friend's return.
