used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
anew
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
barrownounUS /ˈbæroʊ/
the quantity that a barrow will hold
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
command with authority
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
emissarynounUS /ˈeməseri/
someone sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
espionagenounUS /ˈespiənɑːdʒ/
the systematic use of spies to get military or political secrets
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
Euston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
freedverbUS /friːd/
past form of “free” — grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
headlongadverbUS /ˈhedlɔːŋ/
with the head foremost
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
for this reason
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
Hupfeldt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
incomingadjectiveUS /ˈɪnkʌmɪŋ/
arriving at a place or position
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
and nothing more
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
luggagenounUS /ˈlʌɡədʒ/
cases used to carry belongings when traveling
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
come together
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
Neil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
and nothing more
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
Rigsworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
unusual or striking
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
carry out
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
create by training and teaching
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
trippedverbUS /trɪpt/
inflected form of “trip” — miss a step and fall or nearly fall
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
valetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading Hence she was freed from espionage, and Van Hupfeldt could only curse his useless emissary.
having passed out of existence
From this reading He was not much injured, but shaken more than a little, and when he was able to take up the chase again, Violet had vanished.
VioletnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
at the time that
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT GATHERING When the train from Rigsworth brought Violet into Euston Station, she hurried through the barrier and asked an official to direct her to the nearest post-office.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At this instant a slight accident happened which had a singular bearing on the events of the day.
which person or people
From this reading Neil, the valet, who had driven to Euston just in time to meet the incoming train, had seen her, and was pressing in close pursuit when he tripped over a luggage barrow and fell headlong.
