Chapter XX · Busham at Bay

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

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

in actual fact

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

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

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

exhale hard

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

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

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental

From this reading Still, the coincidence of dress was striking.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

of a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

put on clothes

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

plural of “elli” — (Norse mythology) goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

at any time

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

reproduced fraudulently

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

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

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

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

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

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

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

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

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

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

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

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

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

killed unlawfully

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

come into possession of

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

finding a solution to a problem

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

not in physical motion

From this reading Still, the coincidence of dress was striking.

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading Still, the coincidence of dress was striking.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

in a softened tone

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

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

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

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

From this reading He now seemed to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

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

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.

be dressed in

From this reading A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was not a distinctive dress on a cold evening for any man--a dozen might wear it.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading There was no doubt that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill; but Ellis was uncertain in his own mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow.

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

From this reading It was in a state of subdued excitement that Ellis left the rooms of Zirknitz.