used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
amenitiesnounUS /əˈmenətiz/
things that make you comfortable and at ease
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
BITSnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading BITS OF EVIDENCE.
CarternounUS /ˈkɑːrtər/
Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)
From this reading “Sit down, won’t you, Mr. Carter?”
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “Sit down, won’t you, Mr. Carter?”
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading BITS OF EVIDENCE.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
flat-toppedadjective
having a flat or flattened upper surface
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
Mallory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “Sit down, won’t you, Mr. Carter?”
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BITS OF EVIDENCE.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
propitiatoryadjective
having power to atone for or offered by way of expiation or propitiation
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
be seated
From this reading “Sit down, won’t you, Mr. Carter?”
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
someone who visits
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Now, what is the first move, Mr. Carter?” asked Paul Savage, as they settled down.
which person or people
From this reading James Mallory, who had been so interested in gazing at the great detective as to forget the ordinary amenities, offered this invitation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Getting up from his own chair behind the flat-topped desk, he placed one for the visitor, with a propitiatory smile.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sit down, won’t you, Mr. Carter?”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Sit down, won’t you, Mr. Carter?”
