Chapter XVI · Stumbling Across a Clue

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

later than; following

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

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

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

power to direct or determine

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

in a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their indignation.

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

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their indignation.

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

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

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

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

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

From this reading Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their indignation.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

a feeling of righteous anger

From this reading Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their indignation.

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

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “My word!

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

on one occasion

From this reading Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their indignation.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their indignation.

witty language used to convey insults or scorn

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

only a very short time before

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

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

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading But they managed to control their feelings and, bowing curtly, turned on their heels and strode from the office.

a final peremptory demand

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

a hole for the escape of gas or air

From this reading Once out in the hallway they gave vent to their indignation.

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

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

at the time that

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mingled, indeed, were the feelings with which the boys heard this ultimatum from Mr. Larmore.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading “My word!

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading After he had dropped his sarcasm, they believed that he would at least be fair with them, and accordingly, when they heard his terms, they could scarcely believe their ears.