Chapter I

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC., ETC.

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

third-person singular of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

only a very short time before

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

be in a state of movement or action

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC., ETC.

past form of “chew” — chew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC., ETC.

cut or trimmed by clipping

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

a government administrator

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC., ETC.

plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC., ETC.

having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified; often used in combination

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC., ETC.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

a high ranking police officer

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

and nothing more

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

a small handbook

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

of an obscure nature

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC., ETC.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

-ing form of “nibble” — bite off very small pieces

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

express or signify by nodding

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC., ETC.

a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

being in opposition or having an opponent

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

not responding to treatment

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

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 Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

take hold of; grab

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

term of address for a man

From this reading "Yes, sir."

inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

plural of “tenet” — a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

during the time that

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

a Caucasian

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.

which person or people

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nevertheless, Mr. Winter, half-turning from a desk littered with documents, eyed the man as though he had just said something outrageous, something so opposed to the tenets of the Police Manual that the Chief Commissioner alone could deal with the offense.

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 Chief Inspector Winter sat in his private office at New Scotland Yard, while a constable in uniform, bare-headed, stood near the door in the alert attitude of one who awaits the nod of a superior.

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes, sir."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Have you been to Mr. Furneaux's residence?" he snapped, nibbling one end of a mustache already clipped or chewed so short that his strong white teeth could barely seize one refractory bristle.