adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
AnotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant.
BaileynounUS /ˈbeɪli/
United States singer (1918-1990)
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
blue-print
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
bosomnounUS /ˈbʊzəm/
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
breakingnounUS /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/
the act of breaking something
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
BrooksnounUS /brʊks/
United States literary critic and historian (1886-1963)
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
cashiernounUS /kæˈʃɪr/
an employee of a bank who receives and pays out money
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
controlnounUS /kənˈtroʊl/
power to direct or determine
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
Cornelia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
DalenounUS /deɪl/
an open river valley (in a hilly area)
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
dullyadverb
without liveliness
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant.
gardenernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənər/
someone who takes care of a garden
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
hiddenadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdən/
not accessible to view
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant.
hystericallyadverbUS /ˌhɪˈsterɪkli/
in a hysterical manner
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant.
JacknounUS /dʒæk/
a small worthless amount
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
mercifuladjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsɪfəl/
showing or giving mercy
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
oblivionnounUS /əˈblɪviən/
the state of being disregarded or forgotten
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
providedverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪd/
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
quarrynounUS /ˈkwɔːri/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
RoomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “What’s that?” she said in a startled voice.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
slidenounUS /slaɪd/
a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
sobverbUS /sɑːb/
weep convulsively
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
staredverbUS /sterd/
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading “What’s that?” she said in a startled voice.
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
suckedverbUS /sʌkt/
past form of “suck” — draw into the mouth by creating a practical vacuum in the mouth
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dale stared at him, dully—the breaking point had come.
tinglingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋɡəlɪŋ/
exciting by touching lightly so as to cause laughter or twitching movements
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
truthnounUS /truːθ/
a fact that has been verified
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The detective turned away from his quarry for an instant.
unravelverbUS /ənˈrævəl/
become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “What’s that?” she said in a startled voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She would sob out the truth hysterically—that Brooks, the gardener, was Jack Bailey, the missing cashier—that the scrap of blue-print hidden in the bosom of her dress might unravel the secret of the Hidden Room—that— But just as she felt herself, sucked of strength, beginning to slide toward a black, tingling pit of merciful oblivion, Miss Cornelia provided a diversion.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What’s that?” she said in a startled voice.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Another question—another—and she would no longer be able to control herself.
