used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
in addition
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
BulbsnounUS /bʌlbz/
plural of “bulb” — a modified bud consisting of a thickened globular underground stem serving as a reproductive structure
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this was not the end of the matter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
cluesnounUS /kluːz/
plural of “clue” — a slight indication
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
one or the other of two
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading But this was not the end of the matter.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
gunsmith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
identificationnounUS /aɪˌdentəfəˈkeɪʃən/
the act of designating or identifying something
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
ironmongers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But this was not the end of the matter.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But this was not the end of the matter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
purchasedverbUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəst/
past form of “purchase” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
small-shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
dependable
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
SuperintendentnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənt/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this was not the end of the matter.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
a just detectable amount
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
unlikelyadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪkli/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
virtuallyadverbUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːəli/
in essence or effect but not in fact
From this reading To trace the criminal by means of either of these clues seemed virtually impossible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The bag was of ordinary stout canvas, most unlikely to be capable of identification.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The small-shot also was of a kind which can be purchased at any gunsmith’s and at most ironmongers.
Wilson'snounUS /ˈwɪlsənz/
possessive form of “wilson” — author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)
From this reading An Order for Bulbs Superintendent Wilson’s examination of his find took him some little time.
