used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading It was curious business, this work of the radio secret service.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading It was curious business, this work of the radio secret service.
Curlie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
set up or found
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
interferencenounUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns/
a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was curious business, this work of the radio secret service.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
maliciousadjectiveUS /məˈlɪʃəs/
having the nature of or resulting from malice
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
Marion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
radionounUS /ˈreɪdioʊ/
medium for communication
From this reading It was curious business, this work of the radio secret service.
readsnounUS /riːdz/
plural of “read” — something that is read
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading It was curious business, this work of the radio secret service.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was curious business, this work of the radio secret service.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
truestadjectiveUS /ˈtruːɪst/
superlative of “true” — consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Though he had been at it for months, Curlie had never quite got used to it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Joe Marion was away helping to run down a case of "malicious interference."
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading A WHISPER IN THE NIGHT The next night found Curlie in the secret tower room alone.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading It was curious business, this work of the radio secret service.
but in spite of that
From this reading A detective he was in the truest sense of the word, yet how different from the kind one reads about in books.
