used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
(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 It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Are you sure--very sure?” he whispered to Miss Mason.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
for the reason that
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
BRICKSnounUS /brɪks/
plural of “brick” — rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
CLEWnoun
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
Larry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
MasonnounUS /ˈmeɪsən/
American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)
From this reading “Are you sure--very sure?” he whispered to Miss Mason.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “Are you sure--very sure?” he whispered to Miss Mason.
a particular point in time
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “Quite sure,” she replied.
To recall to mind.
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “Quite sure,” she replied.
cut with a saw
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Quite sure,” she replied.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
be standing; be upright
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
having a supporting base
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “Are you sure--very sure?” he whispered to Miss Mason.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
unnaturaladjectiveUS /ənˈnætʃərəl/
not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
valises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
precisely as stated
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I remember because I was alone here at the time, and as I came up from a distant part of the store I saw this man standing here at the pile of valises, examining them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE CLEW OF THE BRICKS For a moment Larry did not know what to do.
at the time that
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading “Are you sure--very sure?” he whispered to Miss Mason.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It seemed almost unnatural that, at the very moment when his long quest should have been partly successful, the very man whom, above all others, he wanted to capture, should stand before him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Are you sure--very sure?” he whispered to Miss Mason.
