aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
baffleverbUS /ˈbæfəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Unexpectedly he had come into possession of the other’s secret.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
DeannounUS /diːn/
an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
Dean'snounUS /diːnz/
possessive form of “dean” — an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
Downey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
an opposing military force
From this reading THE SLY HAND OF THE ENEMY.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Unexpectedly he had come into possession of the other’s secret.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE SLY HAND OF THE ENEMY.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
improveverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːv/
to make better
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Unexpectedly he had come into possession of the other’s secret.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
a room where books are kept
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
MercernounUS /ˈmɜːrsər/
a dealer in textiles (especially silks)
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
not any; not one
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SLY HAND OF THE ENEMY.
Oglesby's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unexpectedly he had come into possession of the other’s secret.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Unexpectedly he had come into possession of the other’s secret.
with little or no delay
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
determined
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Unexpectedly he had come into possession of the other’s secret.
SLYadjectiveUS /slaɪ/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading THE SLY HAND OF THE ENEMY.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SLY HAND OF THE ENEMY.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
Tim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
Tim's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
UnexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading Unexpectedly he had come into possession of the other’s secret.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If this had been no fault of Dean’s, it was Tim’s good fortune, and he resolved to improve his advantage to the utmost.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading He had followed Dean Mercer to Judge Oglesby’s house, and by means of an open window in the library he had overheard the conversation about the new steamer.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading After what we have said of Tim Downey, it is to be expected that he would act promptly in doing what he could to baffle Dean Mercer in his purpose.
