used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then for a few moments there was silence.
admissionnounUS /ædˈmɪʃən/
the act of admitting someone to enter
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
agentnounUS /ˈeɪdʒənt/
an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading That is what you call hedging, isn’t it, in racing matters?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
Davison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Then for a few moments there was silence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then for a few moments there was silence.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
a long fixed look
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
Gerard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
hedgingnounUS /ˈhedʒɪŋ/
any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk; for example, taking two positions that will offset each other if prices change
From this reading That is what you call hedging, isn’t it, in racing matters?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That is what you call hedging, isn’t it, in racing matters?
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is what you call hedging, isn’t it, in racing matters?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading That is what you call hedging, isn’t it, in racing matters?
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Then for a few moments there was silence.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
in the near future
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
PriorynounUS /ˈpraɪəri/
religious residence in a monastery governed by a prior or a convent governed by a prioress
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading That is what you call hedging, isn’t it, in racing matters?
reproachnounUS /riˈproʊtʃ/
a mild rebuke or criticism
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
precisely, exactly
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Then for a few moments there was silence.
term of address for a man
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
make steady
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then for a few moments there was silence.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then for a few moments there was silence.
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
unmeritedadjective
not merited or deserved
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
communicated in words
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
a message informing of danger
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then for a few moments there was silence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading If all had been right at the Priory, why should she have expected to see there an agent of the police?
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The words Miss Davison had uttered so hastily, in response to his warning that there was a detective present, Gerard could not but look upon as an admission.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading That is what you call hedging, isn’t it, in racing matters?
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading She seemed to see that her words were a mistake, for presently she laughed without much merriment, and said, looking at him with a steady gaze which had in it something of what he felt to be unmerited reproach-- “And so your friend Sir William thinks he had better be on the safe side.
