used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading What had the two prowlers taken from the cellar?
chargesnounUS /ˈtʃɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “charge” — an impetuous rush toward someone or something
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
connounUS /kɑːn/
an argument opposed to a proposal
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
FactornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
set up or found
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading What had the two prowlers taken from the cellar?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
inventorynounUS /ˌɪnvənˈtɔːri/
a detailed list of all the items in stock
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
liquornounUS /ˈlɪkər/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
not able to be found
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
namelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
and nothing more
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
like better; value more highly
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
pronounUS /proʊ/
an athlete who plays for pay
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
prowlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What had the two prowlers taken from the cellar?
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
robberynounUS /ˈrɑːbəri/
larceny by threat of violence
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
Sandy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
solutionnounUS /səˈluːʃən/
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading What had the two prowlers taken from the cellar?
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
threshed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But in the days that passed, to his increasing astonishment, he could find nothing missing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a question that was threshed over, pro and con, for many an hour.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In Sandy’s opinion, the solution to the mystery was to be found in only one way: namely, that Factor Scott had taken a hurried inventory a few days previous to the robbery and that there were more cases of liquor in the cellar than he had on record.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Factor Scott decided that he would not prefer charges against the two Indians until he had definitely discovered what they had stolen.
