used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
anew
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
ahemnoun
the utterance of a sound similar to clearing the throat; intended to get attention, express hesitancy, fill a pause, hide embarrassment, warn a friend, etc.
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
askanceadverbUS /əˈskæns/
with suspicion or disapproval
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
detectivesnounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Who else is there to do it?"
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who else is there to do it?"
equanimitynounUS /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.t̬i/
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
a young female
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Who else is there to do it?"
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
a form of address for a man
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
SADIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
only a very short time before
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
having a supporting base
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
Starkweather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Who else is there to do it?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
unravelverbUS /ənˈrævəl/
become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers or threads of
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
precisely as stated
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
which person or people
From this reading "Who else is there to do it?"
a late time of life
From this reading A mystery of sixteen or seventeen years' standing, which the best detectives could not unravel, is scarcely a task to be attempted by a mere girl."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
