used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WORKING FOR A CHINESE CLEW.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
aidedadjectiveUS /ˈeɪdəd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
BradysnounUS /ˈbreɪdiz/
plural of “brady” — United States pioneer photographer famous for his portraits; was the official Union photographer for the American Civil War (1823-1896)
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
lacking funds
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
CHINESEnounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading WORKING FOR A CHINESE CLEW.
CLEWnoun
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
From this reading WORKING FOR A CHINESE CLEW.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
densnounUS /denz/
plural of “den” — the habitation of wild animals
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
EdnounUS /ed/
impotence resulting from a man's inability to have or maintain an erection of his penis
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WORKING FOR A CHINESE CLEW.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
immediately past
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
not any; not one
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
Pell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
required or under orders
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But as it happened they did not know of any secret dens under that particular house, nor did the wardman, nor could they find any.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
having passed out of existence
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
vaultnounUS /vɒlt/
An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
wardman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was true that the Bradys spent much time searching for Ed.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At last they broke down the wall on two sides of the vault from which Ed had vanished.
which person or people
From this reading In this they were aided by a wardman from the Elizabeth street station, who was supposed to know much about the secret dens of Pell street, and we want it understood that the Bradys are by no means ignorant on that subject themselves.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading WORKING FOR A CHINESE CLEW.
