used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
adjoiningverbUS /əˈdʒɔɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
announceverbUS /əˈnaʊns/
make known; make an announcement
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
AutomaticadjectiveUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
contemplatedverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/
past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
recognizable; marked
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
remove the dust from
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
an act that fails
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
garretnounUS /ˈɡerɪt/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
half-finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
engage in
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
the force of workers available
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
Muggs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
mysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
on one occasion
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
promisingadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːməsɪŋ/
showing possibility of achievement or excellence
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
puzzlingadjectiveUS /ˈpʌzəlɪŋ/
not clear to the understanding
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
RileynounUS /ˈraɪli/
United States poet (1849-1916)
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
snoresnounUS /snɔːrz/
plural of “snore” — the rattling noise produced when snoring
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
with low volume
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
tournounUS /tʊr/
a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He mounted to the garret once more and peered into the two half-finished rooms there.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
Verbeck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When snores from the adjoining room told him that Muggs was in a heavy sleep, Verbeck decided to make a tour of the house by himself in an effort to solve the mysteries that had been puzzling him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
at the time that
From this reading He had kept the morning papers from Muggs, for he had decided to announce the failure of their contemplated trap when both men were facing him.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Automatic held ready, he crept softly up the stairs and examined every room on the second floor, looking at every window and door, but failing to find as much as a track in the dust.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At seven o’clock Verbeck ordered Muggs to bed, promising to call him with Riley at ten o’clock.
