adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
bottlesnounUS /ˈbɑːtəlz/
plural of “bottle” — a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
burglarnounUS /ˈbɝː.ɡlɚ/
A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
charwomannounUS /ˈtʃɑːrwʊmən/
a human female employed to do housework
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
ChiefnounUS /tʃiːf/
a person who is in charge
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
Chugg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The room was in considerable disorder.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
cruets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
Desmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
detective'snounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
possessive form of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
disordernounUS /dɪˈsɔːrdər/
a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning
From this reading The room was in considerable disorder.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
débris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
evidencenounUS /ˈevədəns/
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
forcedadjectiveUS /fɔːrst/
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
fumedadjectiveUS /fjuːmd/
(of wood) darkened or colored by exposure to ammonia fumes
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
gashverbUS /ɡæʃ/
cut open
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
KINGSnounUS /kɪŋz/
plural of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
litternounUS /ˈlɪtər/
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
lockverbUS /lɑːk/
fasten with a lock
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
Mackwaytes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
MarigoldnounUS /ˈmerəɡoʊld/
any of various tropical American plants of the genus Tagetes widely cultivated for their showy yellow or orange flowers
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
MURDERverbUS /ˈmɜːrdər/
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
overhauledverbUS /ˈoʊvərhɔːld/
past form of “overhaul” — travel past
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
overturnedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərtɜːrnd/
having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
roll-top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The room was in considerable disorder.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
SEVENnounUS /ˈsevən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
sideboardnoun
a removable board fitted on the side of a wagon to increase its capacity
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
sirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The Chief and Desmond stood at the detective’s side in the Mackwaytes’ little dining-room.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
thoroughnessnounUS /ˈθɜːroʊnəs/
conscientiousness in performing all aspects of a task
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The room was in considerable disorder.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading THE MURDER AT SEVEN KINGS “This is Mrs. Chugg, sir,” said Mr. Marigold, “the charwoman who found the body!”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was a litter of paper, empty bottles, overturned cruets and other _débris_ on the floor, evidence of the thoroughness with which the burglar had overhauled the cheap fumed oak sideboard which stood against the wall with doors and drawers open.
woodnounUS /wʊd/
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading In the corner, the little roll-top desk showed a great gash in the wood round the lock where it had been forced.
