used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading You see, she had been trained as a rope-dancer in her childhood, and afterwards she was on the stage for a time.
(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 the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
alternativeadjectiveUS /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/
serving or used in place of another
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
at or in or to any place
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading In fact, she took a real artistic interest in her business.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading You see, she had been trained as a rope-dancer in her childhood, and afterwards she was on the stage for a time.
the two together, not just one
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading In fact, she took a real artistic interest in her business.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading You see, she had been trained as a rope-dancer in her childhood, and afterwards she was on the stage for a time.
ConspiracynounUS /kənˈspɪrəsi/
a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act
From this reading "Conspiracy, of course!
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading "Conspiracy, of course!
approval
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
excellentlyadverbUS /ˈeksələntli/
extremely well
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
expedientadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspiːdiənt/
serving to promote your interest
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, she took a real artistic interest in her business.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
a young female
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In fact, she took a real artistic interest in her business.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading In fact, she took a real artistic interest in her business.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
mesmericadjective
attracting and holding interest as if by a spell
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
mesmerisedadjective
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Conspiracy, of course!
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading In fact, she took a real artistic interest in her business.
rope-dancer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You see, she had been trained as a rope-dancer in her childhood, and afterwards she was on the stage for a time.
express in words
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading You see, she had been trained as a rope-dancer in her childhood, and afterwards she was on the stage for a time.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading You see, she had been trained as a rope-dancer in her childhood, and afterwards she was on the stage for a time.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading You see, she had been trained as a rope-dancer in her childhood, and afterwards she was on the stage for a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading In fact, she took a real artistic interest in her business.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading You see, she had been trained as a rope-dancer in her childhood, and afterwards she was on the stage for a time.
trancenounUS /træns/
a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading As it happened, the latter alternative occurred in both their attempts on me; but I give the girl credit for turning it off excellently well.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was the stock expedient of the gang--and a very ingenious one, I think; for of course the mesmerised one might turn up anywhere, and if she were not discovered, well and good; while if she were, all she had to say was that she was in a mesmeric trance.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You see, she had been trained as a rope-dancer in her childhood, and afterwards she was on the stage for a time.
