used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
arrestedverbUS /ərˈestɪd/
past form of “arrest” — take into custody
From this reading And if they had arrested him he would have been indifferent.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
attentionsnounUS /əˈtenʃənz/
plural of “attention” — the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
exhale hard
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
burglarnounUS /ˈbɝː.ɡlɚ/
A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
disconcertedadjective
having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
embarrassedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈberəst/
feeling or caused to feel ill at ease or self-conscious or ashamed
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
at any time
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
hang-dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And if they had arrested him he would have been indifferent.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And if they had arrested him he would have been indifferent.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And if they had arrested him he would have been indifferent.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading And if they had arrested him he would have been indifferent.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
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 For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
held dear
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
Lyne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
not any; not one
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
overtakenverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪkən/
inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
puckered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
seamedadjective
having or joined by a seam or seams
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
SILENCINGverbUS /ˈsaɪlənsɪŋ/
-ing form of “silence” — cause to be quiet or not talk
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
strollingverbUS /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And if they had arrested him he would have been indifferent.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
ThorntonnounUS /ˈθɔːrntən/
American architect (1759-1828)
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
unconcerned-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no new experience to Sam Stay to find an unconcerned-looking detective strolling along behind him; but for the first time in his life the burglar was neither disconcerted nor embarrassed by these attentions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The death of Thornton Lyne had been the most tragic blow which had ever overtaken him.
which person or people
From this reading THE SILENCING OF SAM STAY There was a criminal in London who was watched day and night.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For this hang-dog criminal, with the long, melancholy face, lined and seamed and puckered so that he appeared to be an old man, had loved Thornton Lyne as he had loved nothing in his wild and barren life.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And if they had arrested him he would have been indifferent.
