used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Thelma’s attitude, it was true, suggested the latter, though Ruthen had professed friendly motives.
Audley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
move gently or carefully
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
eavesdroppingverbUS /ˈiːvzdrɑːpɪŋ/
inflected form of “eavesdrop” — listen without the speaker's knowledge
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
an opposing military force
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
ESTABLISHESverbUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃɪz/
third-person singular of “establish” — set up or found
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Thelma’s attitude, it was true, suggested the latter, though Ruthen had professed friendly motives.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His attitude towards her thoroughly incensed me.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
incensedadjectiveUS /ˈɪnsenst/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading His attitude towards her thoroughly incensed me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Thelma’s attitude, it was true, suggested the latter, though Ruthen had professed friendly motives.
longedverbUS /lɔːŋd/
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His attitude towards her thoroughly incensed me.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading Thelma’s attitude, it was true, suggested the latter, though Ruthen had professed friendly motives.
easily agitated
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
being perceived or observed
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
professedadjectiveUS /prəˈfest/
professing to be qualified
From this reading Thelma’s attitude, it was true, suggested the latter, though Ruthen had professed friendly motives.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
revealverbUS /rɪˈviːl/
make visible
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
Ruthen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
StanleynounUS /ˈstænli/
United States inventor who built a steam-powered automobile (1849-1918)
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Thelma’s attitude, it was true, suggested the latter, though Ruthen had professed friendly motives.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
Thelma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
Thelma's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thelma’s attitude, it was true, suggested the latter, though Ruthen had professed friendly motives.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading His attitude towards her thoroughly incensed me.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Thelma’s attitude, it was true, suggested the latter, though Ruthen had professed friendly motives.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
in the direction of
From this reading His attitude towards her thoroughly incensed me.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
unintentionallyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪnˈtenʃənəli/
without intention; in an unintentional manner
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
at the time that
From this reading ESTABLISHES SOME CURIOUS FACTS When I met Thelma next morning I noticed that she was pale and obviously nervous and ill at ease.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was now plain that the man Ruthen, whom I had thought to be a mere hotel acquaintance of Stanley Audley’s, was, in truth, something more, whether friend or enemy I was still not quite sure.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I longed to question her, but to do so would have been to reveal the fact that--unintentionally, it was true--I had been eavesdropping.
