used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
aggravatingadjectiveUS /ˈæɡrəveɪtɪŋ/
making worse
From this reading “It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading I said, with all the quiet dignity I could command.
apologeticadjectiveUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪk/
offering or expressing apology
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
Ayrsham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading I said, with all the quiet dignity I could command.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading “It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense.
comprehensionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhenʃən/
an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
consultverbUS /kənˈsʌlt/
get or ask advice from
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I said, with all the quiet dignity I could command.
departmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading I said, with all the quiet dignity I could command.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading “Indeed?”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
meeknessnoun
the feeling of patient, submissive humbleness
From this reading “It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense.
mismanagedverbUS /mɪˈsmænɪdʒd/
past form of “mismanage” — manage badly or incompetently
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading I said, with all the quiet dignity I could command.
past form of “retort” — answer back
From this reading “It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
a general conscious awareness
From this reading “It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense.
and nothing more
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
the act of using
From this reading “It is a pity,” he retorted with aggravating meekness, “that they do not use a little common sense.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “I have never had a great opinion of our detective force here in England,” said the man in the corner, in his funny, gentle, apologetic manner, “but the way that department mismanaged the affair at Ayrsham simply passes comprehension.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading I said, with all the quiet dignity I could command.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “It is a pity they did not consult you in the matter, wasn’t it?”
