used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
AllennounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
allusionnounUS /əˈluːʒən/
passing reference or indirect mention
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
attributenounUS /ˈætrəbjuːt/
a construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
a person who is in charge
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
crystallizeverbUS /ˈkrɪstəlaɪz/
cause to take on a definite and clear shape
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
dullyadverb
without liveliness
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
set up or found
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
gravitatedverbUS /ˈɡrævəteɪtɪd/
past form of “gravitate” — move toward
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
guiltnounUS /ɡɪlt/
the state of having committed an offense
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
induceverbUS /ˌɪnˈduːs/
cause to arise
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
and nothing more
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
apprehended with certainty
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
nebulousadjectiveUS /ˈnebjələs/
lacking definite form or limits
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
and nothing more
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
To move from a closed position.
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
outragenounUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒ/
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
coated with paint
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
perpetratornounUS /ˈpɜːrpətreɪtər/
someone who perpetrates wrongdoing
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
plottedadjectiveUS /ˈplɑːtɪd/
with planning and intention
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
Police'snounUS /pəˈliːsɪz/
possessive form of “police” — the force of policemen and officers
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
recurring again and again
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
action taken in return for an injury or offense
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
Rona's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
Saunders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a large beer glass
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
speculatingverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
SquidnounUS /skwɪd/
(Italian cuisine) squid prepared as food
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
subterfugenounUS /ˈsʌbtərfjuːdʒ/
something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
in or at that place or location
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
in spite of the fact that
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading THE FACE The Chief of Police's allusion to the picture had started a nebulous idea in my head, but it took it several hours to crystallize.
a just detectable amount
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
unspeakableadjectiveUS /ənˈspiːkəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Driving alone up the hill, my mind gravitated dully to the matter of the identity of the perpetrator of the unspeakable outrage.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading And didn't it look just a little as though Rona's whole strange plan for having a picture painted was only a subterfuge to open the way for a carefully plotted revenge?
in the company of; together with
From this reading And would he--had he known of them--been able to trace any connection between Rona's repeated attempts to induce Allen to go off to the schooner with her and the fact that the crime had been committed there?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I found myself speculating as to whether or not the Chief of Police, had he known of Rona's previous attacks upon Allen, would have been as ready as he was to attribute the guilt to "Squid" Saunders.
