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Chapter XIII
SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity. He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention. "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem! 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." "Who else is there to do it?"
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.”
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."”
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
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 important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
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."”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
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."
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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?"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who else is there to do it?"
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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?"
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked askance at his niece, however, as she announced her intention.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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 story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
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."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SADIE AGAIN Mr. Starkweather appeared to recover his equanimity.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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?"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are very young and very foolish, Helen--ahem!
