Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

a theatrical performer

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

past form of “adjourn” — close at the end of a session

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

(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 They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

plural of “almond” — small bushy deciduous tree native to Asia and North Africa having pretty pink blossoms and highly prized edible nuts enclosed in a hard green hull; cultivated in southern Australia and California

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

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

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

a medium that disseminates moving pictures

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

a short mixed drink

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

light and humorous drama with a happy ending

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

someone who composes music as a profession

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

a person who specializes in interior design

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

put on clothes

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

superlative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

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

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

a period of fourteen consecutive days

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

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

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

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

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

plural of “habitue” — a regular patron

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

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

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

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

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

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

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

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

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

a game in which jackstones are thrown and picked up in various groups between bounces of a small rubber ball

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

and nothing more

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

immediately past

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

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

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

author of words to be set to music in an opera or operetta

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

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

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

the force of workers available

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

a telegraph code in which letters and numbers are represented by strings of dots and dashes (short and long signals)

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

characterized by or capable of producing music

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

someone who manufactures something

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

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

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

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

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

English poet (1554-1586)

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

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

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading He seemed to be studying an evening paper and to be taking but the scantiest notice of the conversation at the bar.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

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

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

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

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

in the direction of

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

a combatant who is able to defeat rivals

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

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

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Four men were discussing the verdict at the adjourned inquest upon Victor Bidlake, at Soto's American Bar about a fortnight later.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At a table a short distance away, Francis Ledsam was seated with a cocktail and a dish of almonds before him.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading “It just shows,” Peter Jacks declared, “that crime is the easiest game in the world.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading They were Robert Fairfax, a young actor in musical comedy, Peter Jacks, a cinema producer, Gerald Morse, a dress designer, and Sidney Voss, a musical composer and librettist, all habitues of the place and members of the little circle towards which the dead man had seemed, during the last few weeks of his life, to have become attracted.