used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
appealsnounUS /əˈpiːlz/
plural of “appeal” — earnest or urgent request
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
BakernounUS /ˈbeɪkər/
someone who bakes commercially
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
breakfast-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
chemicaladjectiveUS /ˈkeməkəl/
relating to or used in chemistry
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
clientnounUS /ˈklaɪənt/
a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
divisible by two
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
at any time
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
set up or found
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
HolmesnounUS /hoʊmz/
a fictitious detective in stories by A. Conan Doyle
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
held dear
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
a particular point in time
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Your old schoolfellow, Percy Phelps.
on one occasion
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading Your old schoolfellow, Percy Phelps.
Phelps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your old schoolfellow, Percy Phelps.
pitiableadjectiveUS /ˈpɪtiəbəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
reiteratedverbUS /riˈɪtəreɪtɪd/
past form of “reiterate” — to say, state, or perform again
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
schoolfellownoun
an acquaintance that you go to school with
From this reading Your old schoolfellow, Percy Phelps.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
side-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
having come into contact
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.
(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 So moved was I that even had it been a difficult matter I should have tried it, but of course I knew well that Holmes loved his art, so that he was ever as ready to bring his aid as his client could be to receive it.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading My wife agreed with me that not a moment should be lost in laying the matter before him, and so within an hour of breakfast-time I found myself back once more in the old rooms in Baker Street.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Holmes was seated at his side-table clad in his dressing-gown, and working hard over a chemical investigation.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Your old schoolfellow, Percy Phelps.
