used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
arrestverbUS /ərˈest/
take into custody
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Well," he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
desiringverbUS /dɪˈzaɪərɪŋ/
-ing form of “desire” — feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
Goldberger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Well," he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
ironicaladjectiveUS /aɪˈrɑːnɪkəl/
characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
and nothing more
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
Lester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
a form of address for a man
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
not any; not one
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Well," he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "Well," he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
in a serious manner
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
sleevenounUS /sliːv/
the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
stair-head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
be standing; be upright
From this reading "Well," he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
believed likely
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
Swain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You realise, Mr. Lester," he said, more seriously, "that it is plainly my duty to cause Swain's arrest?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
Vaughan'snounUS /vɔːnz/
possessive form of “vaughan” — United States jazz singer noted for her complex bebop phrasing and scat singing (1924-1990)
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
VERDICTnounUS /ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
(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 THE VERDICT Goldberger paused at the stair-head and looked at me, an ironical light in his eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I knew he suspected that Miss Vaughan's story of the handkerchief was no great surprise to me.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well," he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Well," he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "Well," he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading I shook my head and started down the stairs, for I was far from desiring an argument just then, but he stopped me with a hand upon the sleeve.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well," he asked, "will you wish to put her on the stand?"
