adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
abruptlyadverbUS /əˈbrʌptli/
quickly and without warning
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
addressingverbUS /əˈdresɪŋ/
-ing form of “address” — speak to
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
AGAINadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
AlbertnounUS /ˈælbərt/
prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
AlmostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost instantly I recognized him.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Who are you?"
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
askingnounUS /ˈæskɪŋ/
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
crossverbUS /krɔːs/
travel across or pass over
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
DicknounUS /dɪk/
someone who is a detective
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
GatenounUS /ɡeɪt/
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
guardnounUS /ɡɑːrd/
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
of great significance or value
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
instantlyadverbUS /ˈɪnstəntli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Almost instantly I recognized him.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
JacknounUS /dʒæk/
a small worthless amount
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
keepverbUS /kiːp/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
meetingnounUS /ˈmiːtɪŋ/
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
Paddington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
pardonverbUS /ˈpɑːrdən/
accept an excuse for
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
parknounUS /pɑːrk/
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
pointedadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪntɪd/
having a point
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
PRESTON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
recognizedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Almost instantly I recognized him.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
sirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
spareverbUS /sper/
refrain from harming
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
trustnounUS /trʌst/
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
walkingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/
close enough to be walked to
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was the man who had followed Preston, Jack, and myself on the previous night, and been pointed out to us by Preston.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
WindsornounUS /ˈwɪnzər/
a city in southeastern Ontario on the Detroit River opposite Detroit
From this reading PRESTON AGAIN I had seen Dick off at Paddington, after asking the guard to keep an eye on him as far as Windsor, and was walking thoughtfully through the park towards Albert Gate, when a man, meeting me where the paths cross, asked if he might speak to me.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I trust," he said, when I had asked him rather abruptly what he wanted to speak to me about, "that you will pardon my addressing you, sir, but there is something rather important I should like to say to you if you have a few minutes to spare."
