Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

the act of breaking something

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

(sometimes followed by “with”) in agreement or consistent or reliable

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

the extent downward or backward or inward

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

give a description of

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

set forth authoritatively as obligatory

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

a high ranking police officer

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

past form of “lodge” — be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

(Arthurian legend) the magician who acted as King Arthur's advisor

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

information about recent and important events

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

by chance

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

participate in games or sport

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

only a very short time before

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

term of address for a man

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

in regular succession without gaps

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

propel through the air

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

plural of “trial” — the act of testing something

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

a source of difficulty

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

a state of commotion and noise and confusion

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading Late on the previous night I had performed the unhappy duty of breaking to her the news of Coverly's dreadful death.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

precisely as stated

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The successive trials which had been imposed upon her in so short a time had robbed her cheeks of their sweet color and there were dark shadows under her eyes.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I watched the play of expression upon Isobel's face with a depth of sympathy which I cannot attempt to describe.

to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The tumult of my own feelings was such that I was scarcely capable of consistent thought nor had I the moral courage to examine those emotions which stirred so wildly within me.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading THE INEVITABLE "I very much regret having to trouble you, Miss Merlin, at such a time," said Inspector Gatton, "but as the paper lodged with you by the late Sir Eric Coverly may throw some light upon a very dark matter, perhaps you will read it to us."