16
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading And, as Laurie told it, it certainly was pathetic.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
conspiratornounUS /kənˈspɪrətər/
a member of a conspiracy
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
dining-hallnoun
a large room at a college or university; used especially for dining
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
embarkingverbUS /emˈbɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “embark” — go on board
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
divisible by two
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
inconsequentialadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋkɑːnsəˈkwentʃəl/
lacking worth or importance
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
LAURIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
lockingnounUS /ˈlɑːkɪŋ/
the act of locking something up to protect it
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
used to form the superlative
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
mystifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstəfaɪd/
totally perplexed and mixed up
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
not any; not one
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
patheticadjectiveUS /pəˈθetɪk/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
recitalnounUS /rəˈsaɪtəl/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
cut with a saw
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
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 So, closing and locking the door in the manner of a conspirator, Laurie faced the eager Bob and the mystified Ned and began the recital of the pathetic story of Miss Comfort.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
carry out
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
TALKSnounUS /tɔːks/
a discussion intended to produce an agreement
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading And, as Laurie told it, it certainly was pathetic.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading LAURIE TALKS TOO MUCH But Laurie didn’t have to telephone to Bob.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
at the time that
From this reading Bob was waiting in No. 16 when the twins returned from supper.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity to take Ned into his confidence in dining-hall, and, since Laurie wouldn’t have thought of embarking on even the most inconsequential enterprise without his brother’s aid, the first step, as he now saw it, was to put Ned in possession of the facts.
