adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
addressedadjectiveUS /əˈdrest/
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
ApproachingnounUS /əˈproʊtʃɪŋ/
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
barrister's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
bearingnounUS /ˈberɪŋ/
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
BringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
burdennounUS /ˈbɜːrdən/
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
carryingverbUS /ˈkæriɪŋ/
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
casketnounUS /ˈkæskət/
box in which a corpse is buried or cremated
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
clerknounUS /klɜːrk/
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
court-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
crowdverbUS /kraʊd/
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
depositedverbUS /dəˈpɑːzɪtɪd/
past form of “deposit” — put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
ensuedverbUS /ɪnˈsuːd/
past form of “ensue” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
footstepsnounUS /ˈfʊtsteps/
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
ImmediatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːətli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
instantlyadverbUS /ˈɪnstəntli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
judgeverbUS /dʒʌdʒ/
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
Merrick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
movingadjectiveUS /ˈmuːvɪŋ/
in motion
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
officialadjectiveUS /əˈfɪʃəl/
having official authority or sanction
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
proceededverbUS /prəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
rearnounUS /rɪr/
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
recognizedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
SILENTadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
spell-boundadjective
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
suppressedadjectiveUS /səˈprest/
kept from public knowledge by various means
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
SutherlandnounUS /ˈsʌðərlənd/
Australian operatic soprano (born in 1926)
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
tonesnounUS /toʊnz/
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
undertakernounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkər/
one whose business is the management of funerals
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
unsteadilyadverb
in an unsteady manner
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
vibratingverbUS /ˈvaɪbreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “vibrate” — shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
wearingnounUS /ˈwerɪŋ/
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
weightnounUS /weɪt/
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Bringing up the rear was an undertaker, who, amid the breathless silence which ensued, proceeded to open the casket.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading An instant later, six men, bearing a casket beneath whose weight they staggered, entered the court-room and, making their way through the spell-bound crowd, deposited their burden near the witness stand.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This done, Mr. Sutherland rose and addressed the judge, his low tones for the first time vibrating with suppressed feeling.
WITNESSnounUS /ˈwɪtnəs/
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading THE SILENT WITNESS Approaching footsteps were heard, but they were the steps of men moving slowly and unsteadily, as though carrying some heavy burden.
YardnounUS /jɑːrd/
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Immediately following were two men, one of whom was instantly recognized as Merrick, the detective; the other as the man who, a few months before, had been known as the English barrister's clerk, now wearing the full uniform of a Scotland Yard official.
