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andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
aroused
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From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
attach
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From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
case
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From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
Chu
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From this reading He walked up the stairs to his room and found Ling Chu polishing the meagre stock of silver which Tarling possessed.
chuckle
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From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
Commissioner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
committed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
dawned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
development
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From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
Embankment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
innocent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
investigating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
inward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
justice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
learnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
Ling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked up the stairs to his room and found Ling Chu polishing the meagre stock of silver which Tarling possessed.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
Lyne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
meagre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked up the stairs to his room and found Ling Chu polishing the meagre stock of silver which Tarling possessed.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
MISSING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
murder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
murdered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
partly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
poetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
polishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked up the stairs to his room and found Ling Chu polishing the meagre stock of silver which Tarling possessed.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked up the stairs to his room and found Ling Chu polishing the meagre stock of silver which Tarling possessed.
queer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
REVOLVER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
Scotland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked up the stairs to his room and found Ling Chu polishing the meagre stock of silver which Tarling possessed.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked up the stairs to his room and found Ling Chu polishing the meagre stock of silver which Tarling possessed.
stock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked up the stairs to his room and found Ling Chu polishing the meagre stock of silver which Tarling possessed.
sunlit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
suspected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
suspicion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That suspicion should attach to him was, he told himself, poetic justice, for in his day he himself had suspected many men, innocent or partly innocent.
Tarling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
Tarling's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
Thornton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He walked up the stairs to his room and found Ling Chu polishing the meagre stock of silver which Tarling possessed.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The queer little look which had dawned on the Commissioner's face when he learnt that the heir to the murdered Thornton Lyne's fortune was the detective who was investigating his murder, and that Tarling's revolver had been found in the room where the murder had been committed, aroused nothing but an inward chuckle.
worried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told himself that the case was getting beyond him and that it was only the case and its development which worried him.
Yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSING REVOLVER Tarling walked out of Scotland Yard on to the sunlit Embankment, trouble in his face.