Chapter IX · Chapter 9

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading “Yes, sir, it is a blood-stain.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Yes, sir, it is a blood-stain.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading I told you that I picked the book off the floor.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

plural of “concern” — something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

a soiled or discolored appearance

From this reading “Surely there is some discolouration here,” said he.

pass by

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading I told you that I picked the book off the floor.”

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Surely there is some discolouration here,” said he.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “Surely there is some discolouration here,” said he.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

a fictitious detective in stories by A. Conan Doyle

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Yes, sir, it is a blood-stain.

a transparent optical device used to converge or diverge transmitted light and to form images

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

-ing form of “magnify” — increase in size, volume or significance

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

a book with blank pages for recording notes or memoranda

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading I told you that I picked the book off the floor.”

plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading I told you that I picked the book off the floor.”

record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Surely there is some discolouration here,” said he.

plural of “share” — assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

term of address for a man

From this reading “Yes, sir, it is a blood-stain.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

plural of “stockholder” — someone who holds shares of stock in a corporation

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading “Surely there is some discolouration here,” said he.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

in or at that place or location

From this reading “Surely there is some discolouration here,” said he.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading I told you that I picked the book off the floor.”

a just detectable amount

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading “Inquiries are now being made at the offices, but I fear that the complete register of the stockholders of these South American concerns is in South America, and that some weeks must elapse before we can trace the shares.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading Holmes had been examining the cover of the notebook with his magnifying lens.

an affirmative

From this reading “Yes, sir, it is a blood-stain.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I told you that I picked the book off the floor.”