used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Nick believed very few of them, however.
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER.
CarternounUS /ˈkɑːrtər/
Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
Crandall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
FEATHERverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Nick believed very few of them, however.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
usually; as a rule
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Nick believed very few of them, however.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
NickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BIRDS OF A FEATHER.
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
refuteverbUS /rɪˈfjuːt/
overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
revealingadjectiveUS /rɪˈviːlɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
get by special effort
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
statementsnounUS /ˈsteɪtmənts/
plural of “statement” — a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
suspicionsnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/
plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Nick believed very few of them, however.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nick Carter had an object in not revealing his suspicions to Kate Crandall and attempting to force a different story from her.
except if; if not
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
precisely as stated
From this reading Nick believed very few of them, however.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He keenly realized, nevertheless, that they ordinarily would appear perfectly plausible, that a woman is always given the benefit of a doubt in such cases, and that her story would be very generally accepted unless he could find positive evidence with which to refute it.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had seen plainly that such an attempt would be useless, that the woman felt secure in the position she had taken and was prepared to stick to her statements.
