used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
how long something has existed
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Scotland Yard, eh?" he said, glancing at Tarling's card.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
BritainnounUS /ˈbrɪtən/
a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; “Great Britain” is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
brusqueadjectiveUS /brʌsk/
marked by rude or peremptory shortness
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading "Scotland Yard, eh?" he said, glancing at Tarling's card.
CHU
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
clientsnounUS /ˈklaɪənts/
plural of “client” — a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
Dashwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
eh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Scotland Yard, eh?" he said, glancing at Tarling's card.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
Felix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading "Scotland Yard, eh?" he said, glancing at Tarling's card.
glassesnounUS /ˈɡlæsəz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
good-lookingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʊdlʊkɪŋ/
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
knightedverbUS /ˈnaɪtɪd/
past form of “knight” — raise (someone) to knighthood
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
LINGnounUS /lɪŋ/
water chestnut whose spiny fruit has two rather than 4 prongs
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
narrow-fronted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
numberedverbUS /ˈnʌmbərd/
past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
held or filled or in use
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
partnersnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərz/
plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
on the contrary
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Scotland Yard, eh?" he said, glancing at Tarling's card.
ScotlandnounUS /ˈskɑːtlənd/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; located on the northern part of the island of Great Britain; famous for bagpipes and plaids and kilts
From this reading "Scotland Yard, eh?" he said, glancing at Tarling's card.
term of address for a man
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
Solomonproper nounUS /ˈsɒl.ə.mən/
A legendary king renowned for his wisdom and fabulous hidden mines.
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Its reputation stood as high as any, and it numbered amongst its clients the best houses in Britain.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
Tarling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
Tarling's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Scotland Yard, eh?" he said, glancing at Tarling's card.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading LING CHU TELLS THE TRUTH The firm of Dashwood and Solomon occupied a narrow-fronted building in the heart of the City of London.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
which person or people
From this reading Both partners had been knighted, and it was Sir Felix Solomon who received Tarling in his private office.
withaladverb
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading Sir Felix was a tall, good-looking man, well past middle age, rather brusque of manner but kindly withal, and he looked up over his glasses as the detective entered.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading "Scotland Yard, eh?" he said, glancing at Tarling's card.
