used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
abjectadjectiveUS /ˈæbdʒekt/
of the most contemptible kind
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
aggravateverbUS /ˈæɡrəveɪt/
make worse
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
(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 "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
artfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːrtfəl/
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
contrivancenounUS /kənˈtraɪvəns/
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
psychological suffering
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
elationnounUS /ɪˈleɪʃən/
an exhilarating psychological state of pride and optimism; an absence of depression
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
evasionsnounUS /ɪˈveɪʒənz/
plural of “evasion” — a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
communicated in words
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
exultationnoun
a feeling of extreme joy
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
imaginableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənəbəl/
capable of being imagined
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
ingeniouslyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʒiːnjəsli/
in an ingenious manner
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
and nothing more
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
outmaneuveredverbUS /aʊtməˈnuːvərd/
past form of “outmaneuver” — defeat by more skillful maneuvering
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
PhantomnounUS /ˈfæn.təm/
A ghost or apparition; a figment of the imagination or a hidden dweller.
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
cut with a saw
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
only a very short time before
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
scientist'snounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪsts/
possessive form of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
Shei
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
Tagala's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "It appears Mr. Shei has overlooked something, after all," observed The Phantom in tones that expressed his elation.
trickerynounUS /ˈtrɪkəri/
verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
warnverbUS /wɔːrn/
notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the scientist's acute distress was ample proof that Mr. Shei had been outmaneuvered and that The Gray Phantom was master of the situation.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Knowing how ingeniously Mr. Shei had laid his plans and guarded against every imaginable emergency, he had not been altogether certain that his artful contrivance would succeed.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading THE FIGURE ON THE STAIRS The Phantom could scarcely hold back a cry of exultation as he saw the abject fear written in Doctor Tagala's face.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Now, doctor, let me warn you that evasions and trickery will only aggravate your position.
