used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He fired a question at the officer, and Simpson nodded.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading /Mr. Reeder/ was not an emotional man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He fired a question at the officer, and Simpson nodded.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The driver said that he had orders to go back to London.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
make calm or still
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading “Yes, the car returned.
a person who is in charge
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
demeanournounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading The driver said that he had orders to go back to London.
emotionaladjectiveUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənəl/
determined or actuated by emotion rather than reason
From this reading /Mr. Reeder/ was not an emotional man.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading He fired a question at the officer, and Simpson nodded.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The driver said that he had orders to go back to London.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The driver said that he had orders to go back to London.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He fired a question at the officer, and Simpson nodded.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
imperturbableadjective
not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The driver said that he had orders to go back to London.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading /Mr. Reeder/ was not an emotional man.
a form of address for a man
From this reading /Mr. Reeder/ was not an emotional man.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading He fired a question at the officer, and Simpson nodded.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading /Mr. Reeder/ was not an emotional man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading He fired a question at the officer, and Simpson nodded.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The driver said that he had orders to go back to London.
Prosecutor'snounUS /ˈprɑːsɪkjuːtərz/
possessive form of “prosecutor” — a government official who conducts criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He fired a question at the officer, and Simpson nodded.
Reeder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /Mr. Reeder/ was not an emotional man.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading “Yes, the car returned.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The driver said that he had orders to go back to London.
SimpsonnounUS /ˈsɪmpsən/
United States divorcee whose marriage to Edward VIII created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The driver said that he had orders to go back to London.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading For the first time in his life Inspector Simpson learnt that behind the calm and imperturbable demeanour of the Public Prosecutor’s chief detective lay an immense capacity for violent language.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading /Mr. Reeder/ was not an emotional man.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes, the car returned.
