used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading At length, Yardley, confessing himself conquered, applied to Tempest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At length, Yardley, confessing himself conquered, applied to Tempest.
barristernounUS /ˈbærɪstər/
a British or Canadian lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law on behalf of either the defense or prosecution
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
botheringverbUS /ˈbɑːðərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bother” — take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
confessingverbUS /kənˈfesɪŋ/
-ing form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading At length, Yardley, confessing himself conquered, applied to Tempest.
conqueredverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkərd/
past form of “conquer” — bring under control by force or authority
From this reading At length, Yardley, confessing himself conquered, applied to Tempest.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
the act of departing
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
destinationnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃən/
the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
diligentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪlədʒəntli/
with diligence; in a diligent manner
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
Garnett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
haynounUS /heɪ/
grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading At length, Yardley, confessing himself conquered, applied to Tempest.
an indirect suggestion
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading At length, Yardley, confessing himself conquered, applied to Tempest.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
engage in
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
needlenounUS /ˈniːdəl/
the leaf of a conifer
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
not any; not one
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
Parkyns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
portersnounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
established beyond doubt
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
the act of searching for something
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
TempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading At length, Yardley, confessing himself conquered, applied to Tempest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
thing'snounUS /θɪŋz/
possessive form of “thing” — a special situation
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The hotel porters had not the smallest recollection of the lady’s departure, and could give no hint how she had left the hotel nor what might have been her destination.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They had nothing to go upon--no detail from which they could make a start.
Yardley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time Yardley and Parkyns devoted themselves diligently to the search for Mrs. Garnett, but the effort proved like seeking a needle in a bundle of hay.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I know it isn’t fair to come bothering you,” he had said to the barrister; “but the thing’s beaten me.
