AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
admitverbUS /ədˈmɪt/
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
advancedadjectiveUS /ədˈvænst/
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading "Have you advanced far in the Caffie affair?" he asked the agent as they walked along.
affairnounUS /əˈfer/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "Have you advanced far in the Caffie affair?" he asked the agent as they walked along.
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading "Have you advanced far in the Caffie affair?" he asked the agent as they walked along.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading "Have you advanced far in the Caffie affair?" he asked the agent as they walked along.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "I do not know," the agent answered, who thought it prudent to be reserved.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Have you advanced far in the Caffie affair?" he asked the agent as they walked along.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
Caffie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Have you advanced far in the Caffie affair?" he asked the agent as they walked along.
Caffie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
CHAINnounUS /tʃeɪn/
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
clerknounUS /klɜːrk/
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
consequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I do not know," the agent answered, who thought it prudent to be reserved.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
enteringnounUS /ˈentərɪŋ/
a movement into or inward
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "Have you advanced far in the Caffie affair?" he asked the agent as they walked along.
Florentin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I do not know," the agent answered, who thought it prudent to be reserved.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
interestnounUS /ˈɪntrəst/
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
interrogateverbUS /ˌɪnˈterəɡeɪt/
transmit (a signal) for setting off an appropriate response, as in telecommunication
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
investigationsnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
justicenounUS /ˈdʒʌstəs/
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I do not know," the agent answered, who thought it prudent to be reserved.
learnverbUS /lɜːrn/
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I do not know," the agent answered, who thought it prudent to be reserved.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had been Caffie's clerk; the justice would interrogate him about his old employer, and nothing would be more natural.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
playedadjectiveUS /pleɪd/
(of games) engaged in
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
policenounUS /pəˈliːs/
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
prudentadjectiveUS /ˈpruːdənt/
careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment
From this reading "I do not know," the agent answered, who thought it prudent to be reserved.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading "I do not know," the agent answered, who thought it prudent to be reserved.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
skinnounUS /skɪn/
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "I do not know," the agent answered, who thought it prudent to be reserved.
TIGHTENINGnounUS /ˈtaɪtənɪŋ/
the act of making something tighter
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading "Have you advanced far in the Caffie affair?" he asked the agent as they walked along.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was that only, and nothing but that, which he could admit; consequently, he should interest himself in the police investigations, and have the curiosity to learn how they stood.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "I do not know," the agent answered, who thought it prudent to be reserved.
wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
witnessnounUS /ˈwɪtnəs/
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A TIGHTENING CHAIN As it was a part that he played, Florentin said to himself that he would play it to the best of his ability in entering the skin of the person he wished to be, and this part was that of a witness.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Have you advanced far in the Caffie affair?" he asked the agent as they walked along.
