used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
in addition
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
BatesverbUS /beɪts/
third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
Binney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
Corson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
digverbUS /dɪɡ/
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/
property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
an opposing military force
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
GibbsnounUS /ɡɪbz/
United States chemist (1839-1903)
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
the act of giving
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
incriminatingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkrɪməneɪtɪŋ/
charging or suggestive of guilt or blame
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
indicativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪkətɪv/
relating to the mood of verbs that is used simple in declarative statements
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
not any; not one
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
packedadjectiveUS /pækt/
extremely crowed or filled to capacity
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
packingnounUS /ˈpækɪŋ/
any material used especially to protect something
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
PetersnounUS /ˈpiːtərz/
plural of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
preparatoryadjectiveUS /prɪˈperətɔːri/
preceding and preparing for something
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
resultedverbUS /rɪˈzʌltɪd/
past form of “result” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
term of address for a man
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
solenounUS /soʊl/
the underside of footwear or a golf club
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading No papers of an incriminating sort, no sign of any special woman friend—or feminine enemy, for that matter.”
storedverbUS /stɔːrd/
past form of “store” — keep or lay aside for future use
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading As sole heir, Bates was in authority regarding these effects, but he had paid little attention to them beyond giving orders to have them packed and stored for the present.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
vacatingverbUS /ˈveɪkeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “vacate” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
vouchsafed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Thought I’d dig around a bit,” Gibbs vouchsafed, “but there’s no indicative evidence that I can find.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Peters was also there, packing up the personal effects of the dead man preparatory to vacating the apartment.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading One Woman and Another Bates’ search for Gibbs or Corson resulted in finding the former in the rooms of the late Sir Herbert Binney.
