used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
automaticallyadverbUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪkli/
in a reflex manner
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
a person who is in charge
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
Chief'snounUS /tʃiːfs/
possessive form of “chief” — a person who is in charge
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
CollinsnounUS /ˈkɑːlɪnz/
English writer noted for early detective novels (1824-1889)
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
Desmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
doormen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
let fall to the ground
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
ensuingadjectiveUS /ˈensuːɪŋ/
following immediately and as a result of what went before
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
headquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
inmostadjective
being deepest within the self
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
liftmannoun
a man employed to operate an elevator
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
fasten with a lock
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
messengersnounUS /ˈmesəndʒərz/
plural of “messenger” — a person who carries a message
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
not any; not one
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
Okewood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
and nothing more
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
outragesnounUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒɪz/
plural of “outrage” — a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
plotsnounUS /plɑːts/
plural of “plot” — a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
reluctantlyadverbUS /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
with reluctance
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
a person, without saying who
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading Somebody inside did it, so I made a clean sweep of the office staff with the exception of Collins!”
tackledverbUS /ˈtækəld/
past form of “tackle” — accept as a challenge
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
tamperedverbUS /ˈtæmpərd/
past form of “tamper” — play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There is reason to believe, Desmond Okewood says, that, previously to this, other attempts had been made; but he has certain knowledge only of these three plots.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Three times in the course of the ensuing week the Chief’s life was attempted.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
at the time that
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading No word of the outrages passed the inmost circle of the Service represented by the Chief himself and Collins, his confidential clerk, and Desmond learned of them only when, visiting headquarters one day, he observed that liftman, doormen, messengers, and clerks had all been changed.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading “Some one tampered with the lock of the gate of the lift which works automatically after hours,” the Chief explained reluctantly when Desmond tackled him, “and, but for a certain instinctive caution that has served me well before now, I should have taken a drop of six floors.
