Chapter IX · An Unknown Benefactor

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

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

the performance of a part or role in a drama

From this reading What was her motive for acting in such a strange way?

(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 All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

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

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

react verbally

From this reading All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

plural of “antecedent” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

any thing at all

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

from appearances alone

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

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

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

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

From this reading All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

a sudden desire

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

plural of “conjecture” — a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

past form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

every person

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading What was her motive for acting in such a strange way?

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

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

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

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

From this reading What was her motive for acting in such a strange way?

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

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

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

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

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

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

a resort town in east central Florida

From this reading All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

(Greek legend) the greedy king of Phrygia who Dionysus gave the power to turn everything he touched into gold

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading What was her motive for acting in such a strange way?

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

above and across; more than

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

a human being

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

the physiological state produced by a poison or other toxic substance

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

people in general considered as a whole

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

a remark that calls attention to something or someone

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

larceny by threat of violence

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

giving satisfaction

From this reading All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading What was her motive for acting in such a strange way?

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading What was her motive for acting in such a strange way?

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

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

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

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

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

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

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading What was her motive for acting in such a strange way?

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Everyone was greatly excited over the great jewel robbery, especially as it had taken place at the house of so celebrated a person as Caprice, and numerous were the conjectures as to the discovery of the thieves.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What was her motive for acting in such a strange way?

at the time that

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Reference was made to Kitty's antecedents in connection with the Midas poisoning case, and the public were quite prepared to hear any evil of her, particularly as her career since then had been anything but pure.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading All Melbourne asked itself this question, but without obtaining a satisfactory answer.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading When, however, it became known that the lady in question declined to allow an investigation to be made, and was apparently contented to lose five thousand pounds' worth of diamonds, the excitement grew intense.