used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
BarkernounUS /ˈbɑːrkər/
someone who stands in front of a show (as at a carnival) and gives a loud colorful sales talk to potential customers
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It couldn’t be helped.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
biggestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡəst/
superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
CarolnounUS /ˈkærəl/
joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
cinchnounUS /sɪntʃ/
any undertaking that is easy to do
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It couldn’t be helped.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
detestedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtestɪd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
at any time
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading It couldn’t be helped.
intense and profound fear
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
investigationsnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “investigation” — an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
a small worthless amount
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
JohnstonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnstən/
Confederate general in the American Civil War; led the Confederate troops in the West (1807-1891)
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
not any; not one
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
sensationaladjectiveUS /senˈseɪʃənəl/
causing intense interest, curiosity, or emotion
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
subterraneanadjectiveUS /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No one on the inside could have failed to feel the thrill of it, the horror of the crime, and the excitement of the subterranean chase for the criminal.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was the most sensational and one of the biggest cases that had ever come their way.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
Whitehall'snounUS /ˈwaɪthɔːlz/
possessive form of “whitehall” — a wide street in London stretching from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament; site of many government offices
From this reading I was as keen as the rest of them, but there was one feature of the secret investigations that I detested—the dragging in of Carol Whitehall’s name.
WhitneynounUS /ˈwɪtni/
United States inventor of the mechanical cotton gin (1765-1825)
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
zestnounUS /zest/
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
From this reading JACK TELLS THE STORY With the fitting of the murder on Johnston Barker, the office of Whitney & Whitney drew in its breath, took a cinch in its belt, and went at the work with a quiet, deadly zest.
