used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
an occurrence of something
From this reading This completed, he resumed direct work on the case.
compilationnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈleɪʃən/
something that is compiled (as into a single book or file)
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading This completed, he resumed direct work on the case.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
command with authority
From this reading This completed, he resumed direct work on the case.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
French'snounUS /ˈfrentʃɪz/
possessive form of “french” — the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
Hatton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
necessarilyadverbUS /ˌnesəˈserəli/
in an essential manner
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
PeabodynounUS /ˈpiːbɑːdi/
educator who founded the first kindergarten in the United States (1804-1894)
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
preliminaryadjectiveUS /prɪˈlɪməneri/
denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
with little or no delay
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading This completed, he resumed direct work on the case.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
not in physical motion
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This completed, he resumed direct work on the case.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There were still several obvious inquiries to be made, inquiries which might almost be called routine, in that they followed necessarily from the nature of the crime.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The first of these was an interview with the other members of the Duke & Peabody staff.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE fact that he had been out all the previous night was not, in Inspector French’s eyes, any reason why he should be late at his work next day.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading At his usual time, therefore, he reached New Scotland Yard, and promptly engaged himself in the compilation of a preliminary report on the Hatton Garden crime.
