adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It contained objects which, whether precious or not, had at any rate been worth somebody’s hiding.
apparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/
from appearances alone
From this reading This apparently would have been a loss, for he had been right in guessing that the chamber was not empty.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
BaronnounUS /ˈbærən/
a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
boxnounUS /bɑːks/
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading This apparently would have been a loss, for he had been right in guessing that the chamber was not empty.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
containedadjectiveUS /kənˈteɪnd/
gotten under control
From this reading It contained objects which, whether precious or not, had at any rate been worth somebody’s hiding.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
dissimulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading This apparently would have been a loss, for he had been right in guessing that the chamber was not empty.
existencenounUS /eɡˈzɪstəns/
the state or fact of existing
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
falseadjectiveUS /fɔːls/
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
guessingnounUS /ˈɡesɪŋ/
an estimate based on little or no information
From this reading This apparently would have been a loss, for he had been right in guessing that the chamber was not empty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
hammeredadjectiveUS /ˈhæmərd/
shaped or worked with a hammer and often showing hammer marks
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading It contained objects which, whether precious or not, had at any rate been worth somebody’s hiding.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
immediatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːətli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
lossnounUS /lɔːs/
something that is lost
From this reading This apparently would have been a loss, for he had been right in guessing that the chamber was not empty.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This apparently would have been a loss, for he had been right in guessing that the chamber was not empty.
objectsnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekts/
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading It contained objects which, whether precious or not, had at any rate been worth somebody’s hiding.
oblongadjectiveUS /ˈɑːblɔːŋ/
(of a leaf shape) having a somewhat elongated form with approximately parallel sides
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
oddadjectiveUS /ɑːd/
not divisible by two
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
onesnounUS /wʌnz/
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It contained objects which, whether precious or not, had at any rate been worth somebody’s hiding.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
panelnounUS /ˈpænəl/
sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
piecenounUS /piːs/
a separate part of a whole
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
pushedverbUS /pʊʃt/
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
ratenounUS /reɪt/
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading It contained objects which, whether precious or not, had at any rate been worth somebody’s hiding.
receptaclenounUS /rɪˈsep.tə.kəl/
An object or container used to hold or store something.
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
revealedverbUS /rɪˈviːld/
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading This apparently would have been a loss, for he had been right in guessing that the chamber was not empty.
Ryves's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
SidneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
English poet (1554-1586)
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
somebody'snounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdiz/
possessive form of “somebody” — a human being
From this reading It contained objects which, whether precious or not, had at any rate been worth somebody’s hiding.
suspicionnounUS /səˈspɪʃən/
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its capacity was limited, but if it couldn’t hold many things it might hold precious ones.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It contained objects which, whether precious or not, had at any rate been worth somebody’s hiding.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This particular piece proved to be, in its turn, a sliding panel, which, when pushed, revealed the existence of a smaller receptacle, a narrow, oblong box, in the false back.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
worthnounUS /wɜːrθ/
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading It contained objects which, whether precious or not, had at any rate been worth somebody’s hiding.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This apparently would have been a loss, for he had been right in guessing that the chamber was not empty.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Baron, in presence of the ingenuity with which it had been dissimulated, immediately felt that, but for the odd chance of little Sidney Ryves’s having hammered on the outside at the moment he himself happened to have his head in the desk, he might have remained for years without suspicion of it.
