used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
any thing at all
From this reading Is there anything you require?”
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
Birts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading “This is Inspector Humblethorne, Fairlie,” answered the sergeant; “he wishes to see Mr. Castle.
placed crosswise
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
one or the other of two
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
eyebrowsnounUS /ˈaɪbraʊz/
plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
Fairlie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “This is Inspector Humblethorne, Fairlie,” answered the sergeant; “he wishes to see Mr. Castle.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Not in here—in the hall.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Not in here—in the hall.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
an indirect suggestion
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
Humblethorne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
impassiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpæsɪv/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
imperceptibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbəl/
impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading “This is Inspector Humblethorne, Fairlie,” answered the sergeant; “he wishes to see Mr. Castle.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Is there anything you require?”
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “This is Inspector Humblethorne, Fairlie,” answered the sergeant; “he wishes to see Mr. Castle.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
not any; not one
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not in here—in the hall.”
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
overshadowedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈʃædoʊd/
past form of “overshadow” — be greater in significance than
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading Is there anything you require?”
respectabilitynounUS /riˌspektəˈbɪlɪti/
honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “This is Inspector Humblethorne, Fairlie,” answered the sergeant; “he wishes to see Mr. Castle.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Is there anything you require?”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This is Inspector Humblethorne, Fairlie,” answered the sergeant; “he wishes to see Mr. Castle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
belonging to which person
From this reading A Mystery in the Night Humblethorne crossed to the fireplace and rang the bell, which was answered in a few moments by the appearance of an old man whose quiet, impassive respectability betrayed no hint either of the tragedy which overshadowed the house or of his own want of sleep.
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading “This is Inspector Humblethorne, Fairlie,” answered the sergeant; “he wishes to see Mr. Castle.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He allowed himself to notice the presence of a stranger by an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows before turning to Birts and saying— “Did you ring, sergeant?
