used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading He knew of no act of his own that could possibly implicate him in the robberies.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
blondadjectiveUS /blɑːnd/
being or having light colored skin and hair and usually blue or grey eyes
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
BurtonnounUS /ˈbɜːrtən/
English explorer who with John Speke was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika (1821-1890)
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He knew of no act of his own that could possibly implicate him in the robberies.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
Erwin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew of no act of his own that could possibly implicate him in the robberies.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
implicateverbUS /ˈɪmplɪkeɪt/
bring into intimate and incriminating connection
From this reading He knew of no act of his own that could possibly implicate him in the robberies.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
investigationsnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew of no act of his own that could possibly implicate him in the robberies.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
NewportnounUS /ˈnuːpɔːrt/
a port city in southeastern Wales
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
not any; not one
From this reading He knew of no act of his own that could possibly implicate him in the robberies.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
on one occasion
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He knew of no act of his own that could possibly implicate him in the robberies.
by chance
From this reading He knew of no act of his own that could possibly implicate him in the robberies.
precautionnounUS /priˈkɔːʃən/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/
blessed with privileges
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
robberiesnounUS /ˈrɑːbəriz/
plural of “robbery” — larceny by threat of violence
From this reading He knew of no act of his own that could possibly implicate him in the robberies.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
required or under orders
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
tighteningnounUS /ˈtaɪtənɪŋ/
the act of making something tighter
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
TownsendnounUS /ˈtaʊnzənd/
United States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
two times
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
the act of using
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Harry Townsend was not aware of the chain of suspicion that was tightening around him; but he was too clever not to use every precaution.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
which person or people
From this reading Once or twice he had come across the small, dark detective who was making investigations in Mrs. Erwin’s house—the large, blond man, named Burton, had kept in the background—but knowing that the servants had been under suspicion, he supposed that the search was being made on their account.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He came and went among Mrs. Erwin’s guests, and was on a friendly footing with their most fashionable friends at Newport.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading He had seen no one else during his visit, as the whole world was privileged to know.
