used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The circumstantial evidence against me was as strong as it could be.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The circumstantial evidence against me was as strong as it could be.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading In the first place I couldn’t feel sure that I should be believed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was withheld by more than one reason.
a person who is in charge
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
circumstantialadjectiveUS /ˌsɜːrkəmˈstænʃəl/
fully detailed and specific about particulars
From this reading The circumstantial evidence against me was as strong as it could be.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The circumstantial evidence against me was as strong as it could be.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place I couldn’t feel sure that I should be believed.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
DISMISSALnounUS /dɪˈsmɪsəl/
a judgment disposing of the matter without a trial
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The circumstantial evidence against me was as strong as it could be.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading In the first place I couldn’t feel sure that I should be believed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the first place I couldn’t feel sure that I should be believed.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had no means of proving my innocence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
innocencenounUS /ˈɪnəsəns/
the quality of innocent naivete
From this reading I had no means of proving my innocence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
kind-heartedadjective
having or proceeding from an innately kind disposition
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
engage in
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The circumstantial evidence against me was as strong as it could be.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading I had no means of proving my innocence.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I was withheld by more than one reason.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
not any; not one
From this reading I had no means of proving my innocence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
on one occasion
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I was withheld by more than one reason.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
by chance
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In the first place I couldn’t feel sure that I should be believed.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading I had no means of proving my innocence.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading I was withheld by more than one reason.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading In the first place I couldn’t feel sure that I should be believed.
unusual or striking
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The circumstantial evidence against me was as strong as it could be.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading In the first place I couldn’t feel sure that I should be believed.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I was withheld by more than one reason.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the first place I couldn’t feel sure that I should be believed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
propel through the air
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was withheld by more than one reason.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
withheldverbUS /wɪθˈheld/
inflected form of “withhold” — hold back; refuse to hand over or share
From this reading I was withheld by more than one reason.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading A SINGULAR DISMISSAL Perhaps it may be wondered why I didn’t at once make a frank statement of my part in the mystery to my kind-hearted chief and throw myself on his mercy.
