Chapter IX

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

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

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

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

relating to or characteristic of art or artists

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

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

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

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

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

in mental comfort; without stress

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

in a convenient manner

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

possessive form of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

-ing form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

an interest followed with exaggerated zeal

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

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

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

an established custom

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

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

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

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

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

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

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

past form of “house” — contain or cover

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

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

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

the force of workers available

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

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

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

used to form the superlative

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

not divisible by two

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

plural of “official” — a worker who holds or is invested with an office

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

plural of “propensity” — an inclination to do something

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

-ing form of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

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 situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

someone making a search or inquiry

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

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

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Much of his time was spent in curiosity shops, and he was among the first to discover that former happy hunting ground of the bargain seeker--the Caledonian market.

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

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

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

From this reading It was a fad of his to be more comfortably housed than most solitary men.

of pleasing proportions

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

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

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

in or at the place that

From this reading The situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.

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

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

a wide street in London stretching from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament; site of many government offices

From this reading Mr. Gimblet lived in a flat in the neighbourhood of Whitehall.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The view from the windows, overlooking the river, was delightful to one of cultivated and artistic propensities, and the rooms, large and well-proportioned, were capable of displaying to advantage the old and valuable pictures and furniture with which it was the detective's delight to surround himself.

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 situation was conveniently near to Scotland Yard, where officials were much in the habit of requiring to see him at odd moments.