used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading I’d better keep them in the dark and try to see what’s coming off.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading I’d better keep them in the dark and try to see what’s coming off.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading I’d better keep them in the dark and try to see what’s coming off.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
espionagenounUS /ˈespiənɑːdʒ/
the systematic use of spies to get military or political secrets
From this reading “That would put them on their guard and knock a further espionage on the head.
communicated in words
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading “That would put them on their guard and knock a further espionage on the head.
Garvan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading “That would put them on their guard and knock a further espionage on the head.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading “That would put them on their guard and knock a further espionage on the head.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’d better keep them in the dark and try to see what’s coming off.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading I’d better keep them in the dark and try to see what’s coming off.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading “That would put them on their guard and knock a further espionage on the head.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
not any; not one
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
notingverbUS /ˈnoʊtɪŋ/
-ing form of “note” — make mention of
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I’d better keep them in the dark and try to see what’s coming off.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “That would put them on their guard and knock a further espionage on the head.
and nothing more
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
overhearingverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈhiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
PatsynounUS /ˈpætsi/
a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
select carefully from a group
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “That would put them on their guard and knock a further espionage on the head.
quittingverbUS /ˈkwɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “quit” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
reasonedadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənd/
logically valid
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
rightlyadverbUS /ˈraɪtli/
with honesty
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I’d better keep them in the dark and try to see what’s coming off.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
ShannonnounUS /ˈʃænən/
United States electrical engineer who pioneered mathematical communication theory (1916-2001)
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
believed likely
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
suspectsnounUS /səˈspekts/
plural of “suspect” — someone who is under suspicion
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
carry out
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “That would put them on their guard and knock a further espionage on the head.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading I’d better keep them in the dark and try to see what’s coming off.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
precisely as stated
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The trail picked up by Patsy Garvan was becoming so hot, indeed, as he had expressed it, that he now had absolutely no idea of quitting it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
what's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’d better keep them in the dark and try to see what’s coming off.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He followed the two suspects through Prince Street, noting that they were engaged in a subdued and very earnest discussion, with Shannon doing most of the talking, but Patsy did not venture to attempt overhearing them.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “I could pick up only a word or two at the most, and must take a chance of being seen and suspected,” he rightly reasoned.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “That would put them on their guard and knock a further espionage on the head.
