adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
badlyadverbUS /ˈbædli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
BillynounUS /ˈbɪli/
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
completelyadverbUS /kəmˈpliːtli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading In fact, he had completely disappeared, and where he was no one knew.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜːrmənd/
characterized by great determination
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
disappearedverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd/
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading In fact, he had completely disappeared, and where he was no one knew.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
enigmanounUS /ɪˈnɪɡmə/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
everyonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/
every person
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
EVIDENCEnounUS /ˈevədəns/
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, he had completely disappeared, and where he was no one knew.
famousadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪməs/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
faredverbUS /ferd/
past form of “fare” — proceed or get along
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
indignationnounUS /ˌɪndɪɡˈneɪʃən/
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
MidasnounUS /ˈmaɪdəs/
(Greek legend) the greedy king of Phrygia who Dionysus gave the power to turn everything he touched into gold
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
nuggetnounUS /ˈnʌɡɪt/
a solid lump of a precious metal (especially gold) as found in the earth
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
puzzledadjectiveUS /ˈpʌzəld/
filled with bewilderment
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
reasonsnounUS /ˈriːzənz/
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
robbedverbUS /rɑːbd/
inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
SEARCHverbUS /sɜːrtʃ/
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
simplyadverbUS /ˈsɪmpli/
and nothing more
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
SLIVERSnounUS /ˈslɪvərz/
plural of “sliver” — a small thin sharp bit or wood or glass or metal
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
SphinxnounUS /sfɪŋks/
an inscrutable person who keeps his thoughts and intentions secret
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
turningnounUS /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
venturenounUS /ˈventʃər/
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading That gentleman would have fared very badly if he had made his appearance, but for some reason or another he did not venture forth.
Villiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The reasons he had for turning detective were simply these: It soon became known that Madame Midas had been robbed by her husband of the famous nugget, and great was the indignation of everyone against Mr Villiers.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading SLIVERS IN SEARCH OF EVIDENCE Slivers was puzzled over Villiers’ disappearance, so he determined to go in search of evidence against Madame Midas, though for what reason he wanted evidence against her no one but himself--and perhaps Billy--knew.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In fact, he had completely disappeared, and where he was no one knew.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But then Slivers always was an enigma regarding his reasons for doing things, and even the Sphinx would have found him a difficult riddle to solve.
