used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
(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 The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
any thing at all
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
Bateman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
a youthful male person
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
carelessnessnounUS /ˈkerləsnəs/
the quality of not being careful or taking pains
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
diamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
employeesnounUS /emˈplɔɪiz/
plural of “employee” — a worker who is hired to perform a job
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
incendiarismnoun
malicious burning to destroy property
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
insurancenounUS /ˌɪnˈʃʊrəns/
promise of reimbursement in the case of loss; paid to people or companies so concerned about hazards that they have made prepayments to an insurance company
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
necessitatedverbUS /nəˈsesəteɪtəd/
past form of “necessitate” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
partnersnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərz/
plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
pillagenounUS /ˈpɪlɪdʒ/
goods or money obtained illegally
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
portableadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrtəbəl/
easily or conveniently transported
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
printer'snounUS /ˈprɪntərz/
possessive form of “printer” — someone whose occupation is printing
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
profitableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːfətəbəl/
yielding material gain or profit
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
robbedverbUS /rɑːbd/
inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
scopenounUS /skoʊp/
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
sequencenounUS /ˈsiːkwəns/
serial arrangement in which things follow in logical order or a recurrent pattern
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
in a serious manner
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
required or under orders
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
surreptitiousadjectiveUS /ˌsɜːrəpˈtɪʃəs/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
theatre'snounUS /ˈθiːətərz/
possessive form of “theatre” — a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
theftnounUS /θeft/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
thievesnounUS /θiːvz/
plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
toolnounUS /tuːl/
an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The detective pondered seriously upon all these things as he sat there.
valuablesnounUS /ˈvæljəbəlz/
plural of “valuable” — something of value
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The fire had been at first supposed to be the result of accident or of carelessness on the part of the theatre's employees, until Peter Bateman's story had suggested to the police the possibility that theft had necessitated that sequence of pillage, which is incendiarism.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Thus the detective had believed that the theatre had been robbed by some gang of thieves, of whom Ned was but the humble tool, and then fired to conceal the traces of the more profitable crime.
in the company of; together with
From this reading More than all, he wondered how the little printer's devil should know or care anything about the insurance of the theatre, and what the question of the insurance had to do with his surreptitious entrance and the theft of the diamonds and other portable valuables.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
but in spite of that
From this reading He wondered that as yet the boy should have done nothing to indicate his partners in a crime so far beyond his own scope.
