used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
in the past
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
capsulenounUS /ˈkæpsəl/
a small container
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
a period of 100 years
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
ChestertonnounUS /ˈtʃestərtən/
conservative English writer of the Roman Catholic persuasion; in addition to volumes of criticism and polemics he wrote detective novels featuring Father Brown (1874-1936)
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
cleverest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Leland Hale was undoubtedly the cleverest crook in the universe.
closely-guarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
confuseverbUS /kənˈfjuːz/
mistake one thing for another
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
contemporariesnounUS /kənˈtempəreriz/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
crooknounUS /krʊk/
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading _Leland Hale was undoubtedly the cleverest crook in the universe.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
divisible by two
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
factornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
HalenounUS /heɪl/
a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)
From this reading _Leland Hale was undoubtedly the cleverest crook in the universe.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Leland Hale was undoubtedly the cleverest crook in the universe.
increasesnounUS /ɪnˈkriːsəz/
plural of “increase” — a quantity that is added
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
InterstellaradjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈstelər/
between or among stars
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
KnounUS /keɪ/
the basic unit of thermodynamic temperature adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
Leland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Leland Hale was undoubtedly the cleverest crook in the universe.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
and nothing more
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
not any; not one
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
parsecs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
a course of conduct
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
ruthlessadjectiveUS /ˈruːθləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
scoundrelnounUS /ˈskaʊndrəl/
a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Leland Hale was undoubtedly the cleverest crook in the universe.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
ThievesnounUS /θiːvz/
plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
ThursdaynounUS /ˈθɜːrzdeɪ/
the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But how could even he crack that closely-guarded time capsule?_ _Thieves respect property.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
TracingnounUS /ˈtreɪsɪŋ/
the act of drawing a plan or diagram or outline
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading _Leland Hale was undoubtedly the cleverest crook in the universe.
universenounUS /ˈjuːnəvɜːrs/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading _Leland Hale was undoubtedly the cleverest crook in the universe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Leland Hale was undoubtedly the cleverest crook in the universe.
at the time that
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
which person or people
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
wilyadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪli/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading The difficulty increases by a factor of at least ten when the subject is a wily, clever, and thoroughly ruthless scoundrel like Leland Hale.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading They merely wish the property to become their property, that they may more perfectly respect it._--The Man Who Was Thursday, _by G. K. Chesterton._ Tracing the path of a human being over a million parsecs of space and a half century of time isn't easy, even when the subject makes no effort to conceal his route or confuse his contemporaries.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If it was difficult for the Interstellar Police to track down Hale a century ago, it is easy to see why it would be almost impossible today.
