used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DEDUCTIONS OF A DETECTIVE.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
cat-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
coldnessnounUS /ˈkoʊldnəs/
the sensation produced by low temperatures
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
comprehendverbUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
ConstancenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəns/
a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
DEDUCTIONSnounUS /dɪˈdʌkʃənz/
plural of “deduction” — a reduction in the gross amount on which a tax is calculated; reduces taxes by the percentage fixed for the taxpayer's income bracket
From this reading THE DEDUCTIONS OF A DETECTIVE.
DETECTIVEnounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading THE DEDUCTIONS OF A DETECTIVE.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Dr. Heath is the first to speak.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
HeathnounUS /hiːθ/
a low evergreen shrub of the family Ericaceae; has small bell-shaped pink or purple flowers
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
instantaneouslyadverbUS /ˌɪnstənˈtæniəsli/
without any delay
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dr. Heath is the first to speak.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
modulatedadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːdʒjuːleɪtɪd/
changed or adjusted in pitch, tone, or volume
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DEDUCTIONS OF A DETECTIVE.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
readsnounUS /riːdz/
plural of “read” — something that is read
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
express in speech
From this reading Dr. Heath is the first to speak.
stranger'snounUS /ˈstreɪndʒərz/
possessive form of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DEDUCTIONS OF A DETECTIVE.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Both Constance and Dr. Heath fancy that they comprehend the situation almost instantaneously.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The stranger's movements have been so cat-like, his voice so carefully modulated, that Aunt Honor reads on, never dreaming that an addition has been made to the party.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "Upon my word," he says, with a touch of coldness in his tone; "this is quite dramatic."
