Chapter XX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

later than; following

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

cause to become awake or conscious

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

manner of acting or controlling yourself

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

English botanical writer and publisher (1746-1799)

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading They had not seen or heard him go.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading They had not seen or heard him go.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

a barge that is designed and equipped for use as a dwelling

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

of great significance or value

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

plural of “maid” — a female domestic

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

not any; not one

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

a brief written record

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

not divisible by two

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

any long object resembling a thin line

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Mrs. Curtis's maids and butler insisted that Mr. Holt had given them no message.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

male cat

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

in a way that was not expected

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

having passed out of existence

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

precisely as stated

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

the general location where something is

From this reading A BOW OF SCARLET RIBBON In the three days that had passed since the disappearance of Tania from the houseboat everything that was possible had been done to discover her whereabouts.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It never occurred to Tom or to Mrs. Curtis to connect Philip Holt's odd behavior with the lost Tania or the vanished treasure box.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading True, he had not been seen for the past three days, but Mrs. Curtis had received a note from him the day after his disappearance from her house, saying that he had been unexpectedly called away on very important business so early in the morning that he had not wished to awaken her, but he had left word with the servants and he hoped that they had explained matters to her.