adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
adventurousadjectiveUS /ædˈventʃərəs/
willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
armedadjectiveUS /ɑːrmd/
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
attemptnounUS /əˈtempt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
atticnounUS /ˈætɪk/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
barrelnounUS /ˈbærəl/
a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
burglarnounUS /ˈbɝː.ɡlɚ/
A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
deadlyadjectiveUS /ˈdedli/
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
Dunn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dunn obeyed promptly.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
executionnounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃən/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
fatadjectiveUS /fæt/
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
hideverbUS /haɪd/
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
knewverbUS /nuː/
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 Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
levelledverbUS /ˈlevəld/
inflected form of “level” — aim at
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
obeyedverbUS /oʊˈbeɪd/
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading Dunn obeyed promptly.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
packing-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
permissibleadjectiveUS /pərˈmɪsəbəl/
that may be permitted especially as according to rule
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
pistolnounUS /ˈpɪstəl/
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
plainlyadverbUS /ˈpleɪnli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading Dunn obeyed promptly.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
shootverbUS /ʃuːt/
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
smilingnounUS /ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/
make steady
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
threatnounUS /θret/
something that is a source of danger
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
thusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very intently.
unsmilingadjectiveUS /ənˈsmaɪlɪŋ/
not smiling
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat into execution.
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in the attic.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar.
