used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
quickly and without warning
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
next to; at the side of
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
lacking funds
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
Byramji
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The great ruby,” replied Byramji.
caressingnounUS /kərˈesɪŋ/
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
clothing in general
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “What ruby do you refer to?”
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “The ruby!” exclaimed Thorndyke.
opinion or judgment
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
in a gradual manner
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “The great ruby,” replied Byramji.
half-apologetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/
supporting yourself on your knees
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
go across or through
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
referverbUS /rəˈfɜːr/
make reference to
From this reading “What ruby do you refer to?”
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “The great ruby,” replied Byramji.
rubynounUS /ˈruːbi/
a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading “The ruby!” exclaimed Thorndyke.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “The ruby!” exclaimed Thorndyke.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
Thorndyke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The ruby!” exclaimed Thorndyke.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “What ruby do you refer to?”
moved around an axis or center
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
unfastenverb
cause to become undone
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What ruby do you refer to?”
wide-openadjective
open wide
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “But of course you have not----” He broke off suddenly and stood for a few moments staring at Thorndyke with parted lips and wide-open eyes; then abruptly he turned, and kneeling beside the dead man he began, in a curious, caressing, half-apologetic manner, first to pass his hand gently over the body at the waist and then to unfasten the clothes.
workmanshipnounUS /ˈwɜːrkmənʃɪp/
skill in an occupation or trade
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading This brought into view a handsome, soft leather belt, evidently of native workmanship, worn next to the skin and furnished with three pockets.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What ruby do you refer to?”
