used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DISCOVERY.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
closely-written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
Diane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
the act of discovering something
From this reading A DISCOVERY.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
enclosurenounUS /enˈkloʊʒər/
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
Jimmie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
fasten with a lock
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
note-paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
offensenounUS /əˈfens/
a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
penaltynounUS /ˈpenəlti/
the act of punishing
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
promptedverbUS /ˈprɑːmptɪd/
past form of “prompt” — give an incentive for action
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The enclosure consisted of a dozen closely-written pages of note-paper, dated two days before the murder.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jimmie's first move, on entering his chambers, was to lock the door behind him and turn up the gas.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
whimnounUS /wɪm/
a sudden desire
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
showing curiosity
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then he produced the envelope, and tore it open, wondering as he did so what penalty the law would exact for such an offense.
the act of creating written works
From this reading It was in the nature of a statement, or confession, which some whim had prompted Diane to put down in writing.
