Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

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

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a question had been asked in the House.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

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

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a question had been asked in the House.

plural of “colleague” — an associate that one works with

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

a government administrator

From this reading Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a question had been asked in the House.

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

plural of “crime” — (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

(of time) having passed or slipped by

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

at any time

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

an act that fails

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

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

From this reading Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a question had been asked in the House.

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

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

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

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

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

From this reading Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a question had been asked in the House.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

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

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

a high ranking police officer

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a question had been asked in the House.

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 The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

-ing form of “maim” — injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

make reference to

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

plural of “occupation” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

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

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

on one occasion

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a question had been asked in the House.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

term of address for a man

From this reading Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a question had been asked in the House.

a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

express in words

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

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

From this reading I Nearly a month had elapsed, and the cattle-maiming mystery seemed as far off solution as ever.

propel through the air

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

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

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

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

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

a town in central Belgium where in 1815 Napoleon met his final defeat

From this reading The inspector knew that the affair was referred to as "Wensdale's Waterloo," and his failure to throw light on the mystery was beginning to tell upon his nerves.

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

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Inspector Wensdale's colleagues had learned that it was dangerous to mention in his presence the words "cattle" or "maiming."

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Sir John Hackblock had written to the Chief Commissioner and a question had been asked in the House.

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading The neighbourhood in which the crimes had been committed had once more settled down to its usual occupations, and Scotland Yard had followed suit.