1
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE RACK 1.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
(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 All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
dubiousadjectiveUS /ˈduːbiəs/
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
opinion or judgment
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
in a grave and sober manner
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
intense and profound fear
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
Inspector'snounUS /ˌɪnˈspektərz/
possessive form of “inspector” — a high ranking police officer
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
a particular point in time
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE RACK 1.
by chance
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
QuestnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
RACKverbUS /ræk/
go at a rack
From this reading ON THE RACK 1.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
superciliousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈsɪliəs/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
tableaunounUS /təˈbloʊ/
a group of people attractively arranged (as if in a painting)
From this reading For the moment a new element had been introduced into the horror of the little tableau.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE RACK 1.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
which person or people
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
the words that are spoken
From this reading All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who had listened to the Inspector's dubious words with a supercilious smile upon his lips.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Perhaps," he suggested, "you would like to ask me a few questions?"
