Chapter II · Chapter 2

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

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

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

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

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

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

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

plural of “capture” — the act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

a game played with playing cards

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

following accepted customs and proprieties

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

the specified day of the month

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "What do you do?"

plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

equality of distribution

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

divisible by two

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

the act of exhibiting

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

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

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

go or come after and bring or take back

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

highest in quality

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

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

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

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

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

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

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

past form of “intimate” — give to understand

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

plural of “joint” — (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

and nothing more

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

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

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

the force of workers available

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

not any; not one

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

third-person singular of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

freed from illness or injury

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

unusual or striking

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

plural of “streak” — an unbroken series of events

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

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

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading His entrance was followed by an exhibition as though a ghost had suddenly appeared at the conventional midnight hour and demanded a hand, as he reached forth his rattling joints of bone.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

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

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

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

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What do you do?"

at the time that

From this reading As intimated, the game had proceeded and our hero was winning and losing, when suddenly the door of the room opened and a man of remarkable appearance entered the room.

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

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

signal by winking

From this reading The men stared, even our hero for just one instant lost his equipoise, but he recovered when like a wink he asked, as though no one had entered the room:

having won

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading THE EXQUISITE'S GAME PROVES A WINNING HAND, BUT NOT AT THE CARDS--HE PERFORMS ONE OF THE GREATEST STREAKS OF DETECTIVE WORK TO DATE AND CAPTURES A MAN WHOM FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD HAD FAILED TO FETCH.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "What do you do?"