used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
admiringverbUS /ædˈmaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “admire” — feel admiration for
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It wasn’t worth while, and it would have taken too long.
appreciativeadjectiveUS /əˈpriːʃieɪtɪv/
feeling or expressive of gratitude
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
ascertainedadjectiveUS /ˌæsərˈteɪnd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading I made no attempt to undeceive them.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
blunderedverbUS /ˈblʌndərd/
past form of “blunder” — commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
cluesnounUS /kluːz/
plural of “clue” — a slight indication
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/
past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
detailedadjectiveUS /dɪˈteɪld/
developed or executed with care and in minute detail
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
goalnounUS /ɡoʊl/
the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
linkingverbUS /ˈlɪŋkɪŋ/
-ing form of “link” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It wasn’t worth while, and it would have taken too long.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I made no attempt to undeceive them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
methodicaladjectiveUS /məˈθɑːdəkəl/
characterized by method and orderliness
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
misledverbUS /mɪˈsled/
inflected form of “mislead” — lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
mysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
not any; not one
From this reading I made no attempt to undeceive them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
many times at short intervals
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
outlinenounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
a person who is being chased
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
recitalnounUS /rəˈsaɪtəl/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
side-issues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
solutionnounUS /səˈluːʃən/
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
that is looked for
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It wasn’t worth while, and it would have taken too long.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IT has fallen to my lot to outline the solution of a good many mysteries, but never did I have a more appreciative or attentive or admiring audience than on this particular occasion.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It wasn’t worth while, and it would have taken too long.
undeceiveverb
free from deception or illusion
From this reading I made no attempt to undeceive them.
precisely as stated
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t worth while, and it would have taken too long.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It wasn’t worth while, and it would have taken too long.
which person or people
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But the reader who has followed my detailed recital will know how I really blundered through, how often I pursued false clues, the many side-issues that misled me, and the patient, methodical and, on the whole, not very exciting linking together of ascertained facts, which eventually conducted me to the goal I sought.
wonder-worker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To them I was a wonder-worker, who had straightened out what looked like a hopeless tangle.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading It wasn’t worth while, and it would have taken too long.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It wasn’t worth while, and it would have taken too long.
