used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I did,” said Tom, in a hollow voice, “and I will tell you why.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
for the reason that
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
without deviation
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
FlemingnounUS /ˈflemɪŋ/
British writer famous for writing spy novels about secret agent James Bond (1908-1964)
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
a long fixed look
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
the act of departing
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading “I did,” said Tom, in a hollow voice, “and I will tell you why.”
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I did,” said Tom, in a hollow voice, “and I will tell you why.”
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
Madeleine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
not any; not one
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
responsibleadjectiveUS /riˈspɑːnsəbəl/
worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
having a supporting base
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
steadiedadjectiveUS /ˈstedid/
made steady or constant
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
express in words
From this reading “I did,” said Tom, in a hollow voice, “and I will tell you why.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
male cat
From this reading “I did,” said Tom, in a hollow voice, “and I will tell you why.”
Tom'snounUS /tɑːmz/
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
unpremeditatedadjective
not prepared or planned in advance
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He rose as he spoke, and standing by the table, he steadied himself by placing one hand upon it.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “I did,” said Tom, in a hollow voice, “and I will tell you why.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It was entirely unpremeditated,” he said, “and I’m going to tell you about it, because I owe a confession to Madeleine’s memory, though I am responsible for my deed to no one here present.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I did,” said Tom, in a hollow voice, “and I will tell you why.”
WillardnounUS /ˈwɪlərd/
United States advocate of temperance and women's suffrage (1839-1898)
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Though Willard spoke with no attempt at pride or defiance, his tone and look were those of a man hopeless and utterly crushed.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then turning and meeting Tom’s intent gaze, Fleming Stone addressed himself directly to him, and said, “Why you chose to kill your cousin, I don’t know; but you _did_.”
