Chapter XXIII · Tulmin’s Queer Story

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

(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 He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

having no known name or identity or known source

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

cause to be attached

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading I was fully aware that so far I had not found the key to the mystery.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

characterized by great determination

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading I was fully aware that so far I had not found the key to the mystery.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

set up or found

From this reading I was fully aware that so far I had not found the key to the mystery.

many times at short intervals

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading I was fully aware that so far I had not found the key to the mystery.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Did Thoyne hold that or was it Nora Lepley?

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

refuse to acknowledge

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Did Thoyne hold that or was it Nora Lepley?

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading I was fully aware that so far I had not found the key to the mystery.

the combined stakes of the betters

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Did Thoyne hold that or was it Nora Lepley?

the literary culture

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

a form of address for a man

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

of an obscure nature

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading I was fully aware that so far I had not found the key to the mystery.

not any; not one

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Did Thoyne hold that or was it Nora Lepley?

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Did Thoyne hold that or was it Nora Lepley?

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

plural of “pursuer” — a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

provide physical relief, as from pain

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

in a satisfactory manner

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

A distinctive smell or aroma.

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I was fully aware that so far I had not found the key to the mystery.

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 DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I was fully aware that so far I had not found the key to the mystery.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

propel through the air

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

not yet payable

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.

precisely as stated

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

belonging to which person

From this reading DURING my journey to London I devoted careful and prolonged thought to the difficult problem of Mr. Ronald Thoyne, whose exact place in the story I had by no means satisfactorily determined.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He had played a very curious game all through, and though there was an explanation in his anxiety to help Kitty Clevedon and relieve her anxiety regarding her brother, the facts as I knew them would equally have fitted a desire to throw pursuers off his own scent.

but in spite of that

From this reading I did not attach undue importance to the series of anonymous letters received by Pepster, and yet, in the light of Thoyne’s queer and frequently mysterious actions, I did not feel inclined entirely to ignore them.