used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
alternativesnounUS /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪvz/
plural of “alternative” — one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen
From this reading “It certainly did that; but what are your alternatives?”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “It certainly did that; but what are your alternatives?”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “It certainly did that; but what are your alternatives?”
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “It certainly did that; but what are your alternatives?”
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “I could mention several.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
dearly loved
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “It certainly did that; but what are your alternatives?”
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
to an extreme degree
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
of great significance or value
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
a single distinct event
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
involveverbUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlv/
connect closely and often incriminatingly
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
make reference to
From this reading “I could mention several.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
and nothing more
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
a human being
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading “I could mention several.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
suggestiveadjectiveUS /səˈdʒestɪv/
tending to suggest or imply
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
unpleasantadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
precisely as stated
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
WatsonnounUS /ˈwɑːtsən/
United States telephone engineer who assisted Alexander Graham Bell in his experiments (1854-1934)
From this reading “I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “It certainly did that; but what are your alternatives?”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”
belonging to which person
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “It certainly did that; but what are your alternatives?”
