used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
accomplishverbUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/
put in effect
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
AlbertnounUS /ˈælbərt/
prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "I fail to see why Mr. Talbot was dragged into the matter at all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
baffleverbUS /ˈbæfəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
barristernounUS /ˈbærɪstər/
a British or Canadian lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law on behalf of either the defense or prosecution
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
confined by bonds
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
Brett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
characterised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
rid of obstructions
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
CLUEnounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
permission to do something
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading "And what are they, sir?" said the detective.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading "I fail to see why Mr. Talbot was dragged into the matter at all.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
one or the other of two
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading "I fail to see why Mr. Talbot was dragged into the matter at all.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I fail to see why Mr. Talbot was dragged into the matter at all.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
indefinitenessnoun
the quality of being vague and poorly defined
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
a search for knowledge
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "I fail to see why Mr. Talbot was dragged into the matter at all.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "I fail to see why Mr. Talbot was dragged into the matter at all.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
a form of address for a man
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
on one occasion
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
poseverbUS /poʊz/
introduce
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "And what are they, sir?" said the detective.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "I fail to see why Mr. Talbot was dragged into the matter at all.
not often
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
term of address for a man
From this reading "And what are they, sir?" said the detective.
STARTLINGadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
not in physical motion
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
TalbotnounUS /ˈtælbət/
English inventor and pioneer in photography who published the first book illustrated with photographs (1800-1877)
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "And what are they, sir?" said the detective.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
uncertaintynounUS /ənˈsɜːrtənti/
being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "And what are they, sir?" said the detective.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A STARTLING CLUE Once clear of the Albert Gate mansion, the barrister was bound to confess to a sense of indefiniteness, a feeling of uncertainty which seldom characterised either his thoughts or his actions.
which person or people
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "I fail to see why Mr. Talbot was dragged into the matter at all.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "It is quite true," he explained, "that our first duty must be to find Mr. Talbot, and it is still more certain that we will be able to accomplish that part of our task; but there are elements in this inquiry which baffle me at present."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He admitted as much to his companion, for Brett was a man who would not consent to pose under any circumstances.
