used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IS THERE A WILL?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading Yet, according to all the evidence, he had been there, in his own house, in his own study.
(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 was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
any thing at all
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
arouseverbUS /ərˈaʊz/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
budgetnounUS /ˈbʌdʒɪt/
a sum of money allocated for a particular purpose
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Yet, according to all the evidence, he had been there, in his own house, in his own study.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
formulateverbUS /ˈfɔːrmjəleɪt/
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
set up or found
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
Herapath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Yet, according to all the evidence, he had been there, in his own house, in his own study.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IS THERE A WILL?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
a form of address for a man
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
information about recent and important events
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Yet, according to all the evidence, he had been there, in his own house, in his own study.
Portman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
reporternounUS /rɪˈpɔːrtər/
a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
Selwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
make square
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Yet, according to all the evidence, he had been there, in his own house, in his own study.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading IS THERE A WILL?
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
Triffitt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning!
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was one of those ideas which instantly arouse all sorts of vague, sinister possibilities, but Selwood found himself unable to formulate anything definite out of any of them.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
at the time that
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading IS THERE A WILL?
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
showing curiosity
From this reading When Triffitt hurried off with his precious budget of news Selwood lingered on the step of the office watching his retreating figure, and wondering about the new idea which the reporter had put into his mind.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet, according to all the evidence, he had been there, in his own house, in his own study.
