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 Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

(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 Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

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

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

on or starting from the wearer's right

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

past form of “dilate” — become wider

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

plural of “director” — someone who controls resources and expenditures

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

plural of “drama” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

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

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

in an unnatural eery manner

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

-ing form of “feature” — have as a feature

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

set up or found

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

endowed with talent or talents

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

with superficial plausibility

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

plural of “gunman” — a professional killer who uses a gun

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

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

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

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

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

a message received and understood

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

capable of or reflecting the capability for correct and valid reasoning

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

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

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

not able to be found

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

in a naive manner

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

not any; not one

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

making no sound

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

and nothing more

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

the state of being without a flaw or defect

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

by chance

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

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

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

the act or process of producing something

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

proper respect

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

with pride; in a proud manner

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

thinking that is coherent and logical

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

in the recent past

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

in a relentless manner

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

short tube attached to the muzzle of a gun that deadens the sound of firing

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

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

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

plural of “studio” — workplace for the teaching or practice of an art

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

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

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

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

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

the criminal class

From this reading And the Altamont company had recently finished making a series of "underworld" motion pictures--crook dramas featuring gunmen with "rods" made eerily noiseless by Maxim silencers.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He had dilated proudly upon the fact that he had been an assistant director at the Altamont Studios on Long Island.

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

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

at the time that

From this reading A bit of information he had picked up in a motion picture magazine had hurtled into the logical chain of Dundee's reasoning: assistant directors were in charge of "props"; it was their business to see that no article needed for the production of a picture was lost or missing when the director needed it.

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

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Of all these twelve people, whom he had questioned so relentlessly, only Dexter Sprague could easily have come into possession of a Maxim silencer.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading And as Dexter Sprague had talked on, more and more glibly, Dundee had suddenly found an explanation which fitted his own argument with such perfection that he wondered, naively, if he were perhaps gifted with clairvoyance.