used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It's the blackest bit of evidence against him!"
(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 He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading It's the blackest bit of evidence against him!"
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
blackestadjectiveUS /ˈblækəst/
superlative of “black” — being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It's the blackest bit of evidence against him!"
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
Claremanagh's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
disturbingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
DuchessnounUS /ˈdʌtʃəs/
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading It's the blackest bit of evidence against him!"
apart from; not including
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It's the blackest bit of evidence against him!"
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's the blackest bit of evidence against him!"
a small worthless amount
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
Lyda's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
social deportment
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
NICKverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
Pat'snounUS /pæts/
possessive form of “pat” — the sound made by a gentle blow
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
pencilledadjective
drawn or written with a pencil
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
scoldverbUS /skoʊld/
censure severely or angrily
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
seances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
a special situation
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
TogonounUS /ˈtoʊɡoʊ/
a republic on the western coast of Africa on the Gulf of Guinea; formerly under French control
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two locked themselves in for their occasional seances in this room, and Jack himself answered the knock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
weren't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
at the time that
From this reading Manners was saying to the detective, in Claremanagh's study, when a tap came at the door.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading OLD NICK "I wish to heaven the scent of Pat's tobacco weren't so d--d strong on that handkerchief in the packet.
the words that are spoken
From this reading He was about to scold Togo for disturbing him (a thing strictly forbidden to all except the Duchess) when the sight of Lyda's handwriting pencilled on an envelope caused him to bite back the words.
