used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
admireverbUS /ædˈmaɪr/
feel admiration for
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
amplyadverbUS /ˈæmpli/
to an ample degree or in an ample manner
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
base-hospital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
clevernesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
deductionnounUS /dɪˈdʌkʃən/
a reduction in the gross amount on which a tax is calculated; reduces taxes by the percentage fixed for the taxpayer's income bracket
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
investigatorsnounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtərz/
plural of “investigator” — a scientist who devotes himself to doing research
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
irritatingadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
justifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪd/
having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
magnifying-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
engage in
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
opportunitiesnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/
plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
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 This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
recoverynounUS /rɪˈkʌvri/
return to an original state
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
cut with a saw
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
self-satisfiedadjective
marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
sentencesnounUS /ˈsentənsəz/
plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
servesnounUS /sɜːrvz/
plural of “serve” — (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
similarlyadverbUS /ˈsɪmələrli/
in like or similar manner
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
trenchesnounUS /ˈtrentʃɪz/
plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
triesnounUS /traɪz/
plural of “try” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading In the following pages, therefore, every essential fact is related as it is discovered and readers are, as far as possible, given the eyes of the investigators and equal opportunities with them of arriving at the truth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Nothing is more irritating, and more common, in tales of the investigation of crime, than to find such sentences as “the great detective rose from his knees and put away his magnifying-glass with a self-satisfied air,” and not be told what he saw to make him self-satisfied.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
which person or people
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It tries, at any rate, to deal fairly with its readers, who are not called upon to admire clevernesses of deduction they are prevented from performing for themselves.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading This tale of mystery must be regarded as a diversion from war, a word which does not occur in its pages.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading It was planned in a base-hospital in France, and written during recovery at home; if it serves to interest for an hour or two those similarly placed and those still in the trenches, its existence is amply justified.
