used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
automaticadjectiveUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "The tragedy can be reconstructed up to a point.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
bizarreadjectiveUS /bəˈzɑːr/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "The tragedy can be reconstructed up to a point.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
dischargedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/
having lost your job
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
divisible by two
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
set up or found
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
FrenchmannounUS /ˈfrentʃmæn/
a person of French nationality
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
identificationnounUS /aɪˌdentəfəˈkeɪʃən/
the act of designating or identifying something
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
laurelsnounUS /ˈlɔːrəlz/
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
MegaphonenounUS /ˈmeɡəfoʊn/
a cone-shaped acoustic device held to the mouth to intensify and direct the human voice
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
murderernounUS /ˈmɜːrdərər/
a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
not any; not one
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
pinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
pistolnounUS /ˈpɪstəl/
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading "The tragedy can be reconstructed up to a point.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
Putney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
reconstructedadjectiveUS /ˌriːkənˈstrʌktɪd/
adapted to social or economic change
From this reading "The tragedy can be reconstructed up to a point.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
sensationaladjectiveUS /senˈseɪʃənəl/
causing intense interest, curiosity, or emotion
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
SHOCKEDadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
surpassesverbUS /sərˈpæsɪz/
third-person singular of “surpass” — distinguish oneself
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
tragedynounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading "The tragedy can be reconstructed up to a point.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "The tragedy can be reconstructed up to a point.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The automatic pistol in his pocket, which had recently been discharged, might support this theory even if the police had not found tracks of his feet in the laurels.
a Caucasian
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
which person or people
From this reading Mr. White was evidently killed in the garden by the Frenchman who was found hanging.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There is a touch of the bizarre in this grim spectacle of the dead man at the door of the empty house, and the swaying figure of his murderer hanging in the kitchen, with no other mark of identification than a playing card pinned to his breast.
a late time of life
From this reading THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED "The Putney mystery," said the _Daily Megaphone_, "surpasses any of recent years in its sensational character.
