used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I am in a quandary,” Benedict had said to Kate.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am in a quandary,” Benedict had said to Kate.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
BenedictnounUS /ˈbenədɪkt/
United States anthropologist (1887-1948)
From this reading “I am in a quandary,” Benedict had said to Kate.
exhale hard
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
emphasizedadjectiveUS /ˈemfəsaɪzd/
spoken with emphasis
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
hesitateverbUS /ˈhezəteɪt/
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am in a quandary,” Benedict had said to Kate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
inhospitableadjectiveUS /ɪnˈhɑːspətəbəl/
unfavorable to life or growth
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am in a quandary,” Benedict had said to Kate.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
go away from a place
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
lightingnounUS /ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
having abundant light or illumination
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
a particular point in time
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
nailverbUS /neɪl/
attach something somewhere by means of nails
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
on one occasion
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
pistol-shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
proximitynounUS /prɑːkˈsɪməti/
the property of being close together
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
quandarynounUS /ˈkwɑːndəri/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading “I am in a quandary,” Benedict had said to Kate.
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/
provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
Rudolph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
Rudolph's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I am in a quandary,” Benedict had said to Kate.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
Smolenski
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
solvedadjectiveUS /sɑːlvd/
explained or answered
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading Rudolph’s activity in making the apartment more cheerful had greatly tended to relieve the strain of the situation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The pistol-shot that had emphasized their proximity to crime had for an instant seemed to nail down the curtain of night at one blow.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading Rudolph Smolenski had relieved the intense gloom that had settled over his inhospitable drawing-room by lighting two oil lamps and several candles, much to the satisfaction of his unwelcome guests.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I hesitate to leave you here at this moment, but there is a great mystery to be solved at once.”
