used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
arrowsnounUS /ˈæroʊz/
plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Graham himself opened it to disclose his wife in the background.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
DECENCYnounUS /ˈdiːsənsi/
the quality of conforming to standards of propriety and morality
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
detectivesnounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
discloseverbUS /dɪˈskloʊz/
make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
From this reading Graham himself opened it to disclose his wife in the background.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
GrahamnounUS /ˈɡreɪəm/
United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)
From this reading Graham himself opened it to disclose his wife in the background.
Graham'snounUS /ˈɡreɪəmz/
possessive form of “graham” — United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
HarrisonnounUS /ˈherɪsən/
English actor on stage and in films (1908-1990)
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Graham himself opened it to disclose his wife in the background.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
a social unit living together
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Landis proposed to question them in turn, sending them into the library one at a time.
INQUIREverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Landis proposed to question them in turn, sending them into the library one at a time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Graham himself opened it to disclose his wife in the background.
JapanesenounUS /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
a native or inhabitant of Japan
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
Landis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
a room where books are kept
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Landis proposed to question them in turn, sending them into the library one at a time.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Graham himself opened it to disclose his wife in the background.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Landis proposed to question them in turn, sending them into the library one at a time.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Landis proposed to question them in turn, sending them into the library one at a time.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
reception-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Landis proposed to question them in turn, sending them into the library one at a time.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
Stimson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Landis proposed to question them in turn, sending them into the library one at a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Landis proposed to question them in turn, sending them into the library one at a time.
look attentively
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
at the time that
From this reading THE DECENCY NOT TO INQUIRE When Stimson had resumed his seat at the end of the library, Landis recalled the policeman from the reception-room and set him on guard over the Japanese bow and arrows and over the servants.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He posted the sergeant by the fire, a position from which he could watch the body of Harrison and prevent conversation among the guests and members of the household after the detectives had talked to them.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Graham himself opened it to disclose his wife in the background.
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the sergeant at his new post, Landis mounted to the second floor wing and knocked on Graham’s door.
