adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But he who watches a Chinaman watches an illusionist.
accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But he who watches a Chinaman watches an illusionist.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
approachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/
move towards
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
approachedverbUS /əˈproʊtʃt/
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
assistantsnounUS /əˈsɪstənts/
plural of “assistant” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
bogusadjectiveUS /ˈboʊɡəs/
fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
BooknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he who watches a Chinaman watches an illusionist.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
Chinamannoun
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading But he who watches a Chinaman watches an illusionist.
CHINESEnounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
Coombes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
credibleadjectiveUS /ˈkredəbəl/
capable of being believed
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
Detective-Sergeant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
emperorsnounUS /ˈempərərz/
plural of “emperor” — the male ruler of an empire
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
flourishedverbUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃt/
past form of “flourish” — grow vigorously
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
gatesnounUS /ɡeɪts/
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he who watches a Chinaman watches an illusionist.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
Houdin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
illusionistnounUS /ˌɪˈluːʒənəst/
a person with unusual powers of foresight
From this reading But he who watches a Chinaman watches an illusionist.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
inquirernounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪrər/
someone who asks a question
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
insignificancenounUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkəns/
the quality of having little or no significance
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
MAGICnounUS /ˈmædʒɪk/
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
mediumnounUS /ˈmiːdiəm/
a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
MingnounUS /mɪŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
Petrogradnoun
a city in the European part of Russia; 2nd largest Russian city; located at the head of the Gulf of Finland; former capital of Russia
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
potentatenounUS /ˈpoʊtənteɪt/
a ruler who is unconstrained by law
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
predecessornounUS /ˈpredəsesər/
one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
preparedadjectiveUS /priˈperd/
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
psychicaladjectiveUS /ˈsaɪkɪkəl/
affecting or influenced by the human mind
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
RobertnounUS /ˈrɑːbərt/
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
seeksnounUS /siːks/
plural of “seek” — the movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
SinnounUS /sɪn/
estrangement from god
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
sinksnounUS /sɪŋks/
plural of “sink” — plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
sleepingnounUS /ˈsliːpɪŋ/
the state of being asleep
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
swearverbUS /swer/
utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
tasknounUS /tæsk/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading He must approach his task in the spirit of a psychical inquirer who seeks to trap a bogus medium.
twelvenounUS /twelv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The palace of this potentate was approached by gates, each having twelve locks, and each being watched by twelve guards.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
WanounUS /wɑː/
a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
watchesnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃəz/
plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece
From this reading But he who watches a Chinaman watches an illusionist.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading But he who watches a Chinaman watches an illusionist.
witnessesnounUS /ˈwɪtnəsəz/
plural of “witness” — someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
wizardsnounUS /ˈwɪzərdz/
plural of “wizard” — someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
From this reading The great Robert Houdin, one of the master wizards of modern times, quitted Petrograd by two gates at the same hour according to credible witnesses; but his performance sinks into insignificance beside that of a Chinese predecessor who flourished under one of the Ming emperors.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading CHINESE MAGIC Detective-Sergeant Coombes and three assistants watched the house of Sin Sin Wa, and any one of the three would have been prepared to swear “on the Book” that Sin Sin Wa was sleeping.
